How to Take Time Off Without Stress

Take a break without worry

As a small business owner, you may struggle to shut down and step away from your work. If so, you’re not alone: a recent survey found that 22% of small business owners didn’t take time off at all in 2024.

The biggest culprit is often administrative tasks. According to our own survey, 51% of small business owners say admin tasks keep them from spending time with friends and family.

Time off can be important, though. Both for your business and your personal well-being. Here’s some advice on how you can take time off without slowing your business down, and why it’s important.

The importance of taking time off

You may think you’re being selfish by taking time off, but the truth is, time away from the stresses of running a business is essential to help you re-center and recharge.

A recent study that followed more than 12,000 men at high risk of heart disease found that those who regularly took vacations reduced their risk of serious heart complications by as much as 30%. And researchers have also found links between taking time off and lower cholesterol, blood pressure and reduced depression risk. 

Aside from the physical health benefits, getting time away from your work can also help you focus and think better. Those challenges that seem insurmountable in the moment might shrink in size once you’ve had time away and gained a new perspective.

How to set up your business for your absence

Ok, you might be thinking, that’s all well and good, but how can you take time off when your business depends on you? The key is putting the right systems in place so things keep moving even when you’re not there. With some planning, clear processes, and support from Walmart Business, you can give your team the tools they need to manage day-to-day operations while you step away. 

Put processes into place before you leave

You’re probably deeply involved in every aspect of your business, so much so that it might seem like you can’t pry yourself away. But with a bit of planning and preparation, you can give your team what they need to keep things running smoothly.

Start by taking a look at what you do in a day. Write down the steps you take, from opening your business to sending your last email at night. Then, make a list of what you can safely delegate to others and how your team can work around your absence. 

For example, if you’re the one who fills the coffee machine every day, assign that to someone else. Or if you make calls to your merchants every morning, decide in advance who’s going to take on that task, or let them know that you’ll be away. 

You can also plan for emergencies by making a checklist for your team of steps to take when unexpected situations arise. Let them know where to find critical information they may need to speak with clients in your absence, and, as a last resort, how to reach you if it simply can’t be avoided.

The more you can plan for your absence in advance, the better able your team will be able to succeed while you’re away. And if you still can’t seem to find ways to let go of your tasks, bring in a team member and assign them to help you by taking on your roles for a time. You might be surprised by how capable some of your team members might be. 

Delegate supply ordering

You don’t want to run out of necessary supplies while you’re away. Make sure you empower one of your team members to place orders and accept deliveries in your absence.

Walmart Business makes this easy with multiuser accounts and shared payment options. You can assign up to five users and give them access to order with your account. Our full, ever-expanding assortment of business must-haves at everyday low prices will be just a click or a visit away. 

Set up subscriptions

If you don’t want to risk running out of the things your business needs, you can always set up subscription orders.¹ Walmart Business makes it easy to subscribe to automatic deliveries. You can sign up for a subscription to have your must-have items automatically delivered on a regular schedule. You can even adjust the delivery frequency, skip a delivery if you have more than you need, or cancel the subscription at any time. 

Analyze spending

To get an even clearer picture of how your business is running, so that you can plan ahead and take some much-needed time off, you can sign up for a Walmart Business+ membership and gain access to Spend Analytics. 

With Spend Analytics, you can easily track your spending to determine patterns and trends. Every member of your team can track spending on the essentials you need to run your business. Plus, you’ll see how you might save money by ordering more of one thing or less of another, or combining orders of items you need regularly to cut down on shipping costs.

For a limited time, members also have access to Thryv, a marketing platform that allows customers to automate certain functions. Learn more today.

Tips to help your business grow

You may need to take a break, but Walmart Business will always be there. We’ve got the tips and techniques you need to help grow your business.

From tips on using your Walmart Business+ membership to reduce costs and make your business run more smoothly, to tapping into the power of Walmart Marketplace to boost your sales and presence, our eBook, Boosting Business Potential, is full of advice that will help you now. 

Don’t have a Walmart Business+ membership? Join now to save over $500/year and enjoy exclusive rewards for your organization.² Plus, get access to features like free shipping, no order minimum,³ free delivery from the store with a $35 minimum order⁴ and the ability to earn 2% in Walmart Business Rewards on orders $250 or more.⁵

¹ Shipping, delivery, and minimum order fees may apply. Eligible items only. Terms apply.

² Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).

³ Excludes most marketplace items. Freight & location surcharges may apply.

⁴ Restrictions apply. 

⁵ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.