If the thought of taking a week off triggers stress instead of relaxation, then you will want to bookmark this article. If you are like most professionals in the Real Estate Industry (or most Americans for that fact), you probably wear business as a badge of honor. However, being able to take a vacation is a good test of whether you’re running your business or you’re letting the business run you.

Here are some ways you can begin to get your business ready for a vacation.

Cut Down on the Noise.

One way to simulate being on vacation is to cut down your “inputs.” Email and cell phones keep us accessible all the time.  But with a little maneuvering, you can change this without compromising good customer service.

Create email filters to eliminate spam emails. For instance, most Realtors subscribe to various MLS notifications and peer newsletters. This can quickly create a chaotic inbox. If you create folders and filters for notifications that are read-only versus ones that are actionable, you can easily cut down on the noise and feel less busy.

Doing a similar technique with your phone is another smart idea. Add your family and a few key contacts to your favorites and then put your phone on do-not-disturb. Configure your phone settings so that those on your short list will go through, but the rest won’t interrupt you. You’ll still see their missed calls or voicemails, but it’ll be on your own time.

Try consolidating your appointments. If you’re diligent about grouping appointments on 1-2 days a week, your week begins to open up again and you won’t feel so busy throughout the entire week.

Delegate.

Most agents and lenders are go-getters. As a result, they tend to do everything themselves while many tasks can be done by an assistant. Don’t buy into the myth that no one can do what you do. If you focus on outlining processes and procedures, you’ll be surprised at what you can have someone else manage for you.

Taking time to train someone else will always take longer than doing it yourself. But you won’t regret that investment when it means you can take time off to spend with your friends and family.

If you’re not in a position to delegate tasks, consider forming a “partnership” with a colleague that you trust with the understanding that they’ll take on some duties while you are on vacation and vice versa.

Do a Test Run.

Once you’ve cut down the noise and delegated your workload, try taking some time off to test it out. Taking time off in small doses will give you the confidence to take off longer periods and allow you to correct any issues that may arise.