By this point, you’ve definitely learned a few things about life, and one thing we can all agree on with absolute certainty is that life can be VERY unpredictable.

You get sick, you need surgery, you have to step away from your life to help a loved one in need – and a million other possibilities we might not have even considered!

We all have times that we have to drop what we’re doing and focus on the things that really matter like our health, our family, or even just our sanity! But if your business is counting on you to be there day in and day out, what happens when you’re forced to take some time off??

It’s going to happen sooner or later, so as a smart, pro-active business owner you’re obviously going to take the steps to plan ahead for emergencies, sick days, or even just a fun day off!

Here are 5 smart things you can do to avoid a shit-show if you have to be AWOL for a few days, weeks, or even months!

• DON’T Fly by the Seat of Your Pants
  
  When you’re running a business, you can’t be successful if you’re just winging it. Sure, you might get some wins here and there, but sustainable success requires a solid plan. You need infrastructure, processes, procedures, policies, and SOPs. This keeps your team in the loop so everyone knows exactly what they’re supposed to do and how they’re supposed to do it even if you’re not around to oversee everything.
  
  
• Get the Right Tech
  
  Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) means that you’re doing tasks the same way every time. Video screen capture technology like Loom makes it incredibly easy to record short videos that demonstrate all those wonderful SOPs that keep your business running like a well-oiled machine. Your team can refer to them as needed, and you can even transcribe them for anyone that prefers written instructions.
  
  
• Learn to Let Things Go
  
  You pride yourself on being reliable and accountable, and that’s why you’re such a great business owner! Your clients know that they can count on you to show up for every meeting and phone call – except for those times when you simply can’t! If you’re sick as a dog, you’re going to need to reschedule that meeting, maybe more than once! And that’s okay. Keep your team and clients apprised of your situation so tasks can be rescheduled as needed, then let it go and focus on taking care of yourself.
  
  
• Prioritize Yourself
  
  Your health, safety, and sanity all matter! You cannot pour from an empty cup, and you cannot lead a business if you can barely hold your head up. Don’t chastise yourself for taking time off when necessary – be proud of yourself for making YOU a priority!
  

• Get a Team Already!!!
  
  You might notice that everything I’ve mentioned so far requires one important thing – a reliable team! If you’re trying to run a 7+ figure business as a solopreneur, I’ve got some bad news for you… Your day is coming. Shit is going to hit the fan, and if you don’t have an awesome team backing you up, your business is going to be in trouble. There will be times that you HAVE to step away, and you need to know you can count on your team to keep everything running smoothly. (And if you don’t already have a team in place, call me – I can help!)

Emergencies are going to happen, and you rarely have time to plan when the unexpected hits. But if you put these measures in place, your business will be just fine until you get back!

If you want more tips on keeping your business afloat when your life takes an unexpected turn, check out this episode of Building Your Empire with SophieZo.

Then let’s talk about how the all-in-one team at SophieZo can keep your business on top even when you’re under the weather! Visit http://sophiezocalendar.com to book a call!