How to Take a Sabbatical from your Small Business

Ever dreamed of just stepping away from your business? Perhaps with the ability to pick things back up, if and whenever you want, where you left off? Of course you have, we all have. Every small business owner has had this thought at one, or many more times, or another.

But what does planning for a sabbatical look like in reality?

I can share with you first hand…

Preparing for my Sabbatical

When I first dreamed about taking a break from my business coaching practice it felt an impossibility. This is from someone who believes anything is possible. But, in overwhelm it’s hard to see solutions.  The thought of everything that would need to be done to take 3 months (minimum) out felt completely overwhelming. Unlike 19 years previous, working for BT, I wrote a letter of resignation and emailed it to my boss. Done.

So, I sat with the sabbatical idea for another year…

Over the next 12 months I worked with my business coach again and with an EFT coach to manage some lingering mindset blocks around extrapolating my self-worth from that of being a business owner. Small business is all I’ve known for the past 19 years – the births of my children into teenage, a global pandemic and two recessions.

Who am I without the hard work, the commitment and an unrelenting drive?

Going into Christmas 2025 was pivotal. I knew on the other side a decision would be made. At home I have a framed quote from Amelia Earheart that resonated now more than ever:

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity”

Time for a Change

So, about to turn 50, I decided to take some time and space away from growing my business to think about what’s next.

Maybe I’ll pick up Meta4 where I left off – I love coaching and business, but I want to be open to new opportunities. I’m just not seeking them out in the immediate future.

I don’t know what my future looks like (who does?!). What I do know is that opportunities arise when you least expect them and when you’re open to them. This is what’s exciting about my next chapter. Whatever will happen, it’ll be fun, fulfilling and challenging in all the right ways…’cos this is what I’m open to making it.

And the business – Meta4 Business Coaching, will have its full suite of services, website, Google presence, team and fully detailed operating procedures, waiting in the sidelines should I want to pick it all back up in the future, albeit with a fresh pair of eyes and mindset. And the clients I have will be looked after until their coaching programmes come to a natural finish.

When all’s said and done, the temporary goodbyes will be hard…but like Del Boy said, ‘it’s bonjour for now…’

Book in for my complimentary Kickstart Session – a one hour call to give you clarity, focus and guidance on your best next steps in business.