The holiday season is a great time for business owners take a break Instead of just celebrating, smart owners look back on the past year and set new goals for the coming year. This practice is the key to their success.

When I started my journey as a business owner, I often found myself glued to my laptop or phone, answering emails and texts. Now, looking back, I wish I had enjoyed the simple moments more. Nowadays, I use vacations to disconnect and recharge. Pro tip: The do not disturb feature on your cell phone is your superpower. Use it.

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1. Rest for perspective

The holiday season is a good time to stop and think. A founder I know transformed his business by analyzing his key successes and failures from last year. He found he needed to simplify his product line.

This annual review helped him focus better and increase his income, but the best part was doing things in a way that made him feel enlightened going to work every day. When we stop, it gives us a moment to look at where we are, what's working and what's not – what you do next is up to you.

Practical step: Take time to think. Use questions like, “What am I most proud of this year?” “What do I miss in my life right now and what do I want most?”

Write down the lessons you learned from the good times and the bad. This will help you see things in a balanced way.

2. Anticipate and plan with purpose

To move your vision forward, make sure your plans align with your larger goals. I use a method where I ask myself, “If I made the same choices I did this year, would they help me be more successful or would they hurt me?” This helps me stay clear and smart when setting goals that I can measure.

Practical step: Write down your goals for the year. Break them into smaller pieces with quarterly KPI. You can use tools like Monday.com or Asana. They can help you monitor your progress and change your goals if necessary. I often think, “If I keep doing what I did last year, last quarter, or last month a thousand times, will I get closer to what I want or further away from it?”

Success means a lot, but it's not enough if you don't feel happy or experience joy in the process – when you achieve your goals but feel unhappy inside, it's like failing without knowing it.

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3. Filling for maximum performance

Burnout can happen to anyone. Last year, I felt very overwhelmed. So, I decided to create a daily routine to recharge. I set limits on client calls and made sure I exercised regularly. This change boosted my energy. It also helped me see my work in a new way. Taking time for it really disconnecting helps my mental health a lot.

Being present and in the moment improves my life tremendously and I'm moving away from the rhetoric of “I'll sleep when I die” and “Hustle & Grind!” This is outdated.

Practical advice: Set a daily activity that you will always do to help you recharge. It could be a walk, a workout, or even a 5-minute break from screens. Use apps like Forest to reduce screen time and create clear boundaries. This can help you feel more balanced and healthy.

Related: Five Critical Self-Care Habits for Successful Entrepreneurs

Stop the burn cycle

Stop it combustion cycle taking a break during the upcoming holidays. Use this time to relax and enjoy a slower pace. It is important to consider your plan for the coming year.

Many people feel burned out from their busy work lives. Knowing the signs of burnout can help you avoid it. You can practice self-care by exercising regularly, trying mindfulness meditation, and setting clear boundaries between work and home. Get support from colleagues, friends or mental health professionals.

Remember, self-care is the key to your long-term success. If you treat the burn earlyyou can balance work and life well. That way, you can continue to give your best. Taking vacations is good for our mental health. A healthy mind helps you make better business choices and deal with the hard parts of running a business.