FBC – 237 – I am taking some time off

I am taking some time off.

Today, I want to talk about work – life balance. How to balance it properly, what is too much work and what is too much time off.

All answers in this episode.

So, yeah, for today, I wanted to talk about the work and life balance. You need to be able to put in enough effort to basically improve your business, improve your skills and move forward. And at the same time, you need to be able to enjoy your life. Right.

So I'm at that point where my girlfriend's here and I think I've worked hard enough for the

In This Episode

last couple of months, building stuff and making sure that other people can take over. And I think it's time to actually go and enjoy the fruits of my labour. Because what's the point of doing all this stuff to get what you want when afterwards you don't actually go out and enjoy it?

So it's actually quite hard because in the beginning, you have this objective of, you know what? When I get to this point, then that's it. I’ll get some rest and enjoy it. But the thing is, in the process, you basically get hooked to putting in all these efforts to learn stuff, which becomes a part of you.

You're used to having your brain working, you know, pretty much all the time and thinking about stuff and doing a little bit, building new things and stuff. And you have to readjust. Right. But it's hard. But it's also dangerous. Because you don't want to get to a point where you're so hooked on it that you can't even relax and have fun and stuff.

I am taking some time off

So it's very important for you to be able to find that balance so that you can actually enjoy what you built because that was the original point. So always try to remember what your original point was. I'm at this stage where, to be honest, I have been working a lot for the last year. I'm going to relax and take it easy with my girlfriend.

So anyway, it's going to quite interesting for me. I'm going to take a little bit more time, work less as I've built everything now the foundation, everything, so it can just work without me. OK. So, yeah, I'm really tired after the whole trip and stuff.

The work-life balance, it’s important. You need to be able to take some time off sometimes and actually enjoy it.

Why taking time off is a business decision, not a reward

You are not a machine, and pretending you are one is how good businesses quietly break. I used to wear no days off like a badge. It cost me. The best ideas I ever had, the automations that later saved clients whole weeks, never arrived when I was exhausted. They arrived after I stepped back. Rest is not the prize you get after the work. It is part of the work. I run four companies from Bali precisely because I refuse to let the grind own me, and the systems I build exist so the business keeps moving while I am gone. That is the point of automation. It buys you the right to leave. I wrote about the mindset shift on my Substack and told the fuller story on my story page. The evidence is not soft either: Harvard Business Review and McKinsey both document how recovery drives sustained output, not the other way around. Take the time off on purpose. Build the systems that let you. Then watch what your rested brain does that your tired one never could.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you maintain work-life balance as an entrepreneur?

The key is treating rest as a business investment rather than a reward. Scheduling recovery time deliberately, the same way you schedule deep work, prevents the kind of burnout that can set a business back months.

How do you know when you are working too much?

Declining creativity, irritability, reduced decision quality, and physical fatigue are reliable signals. When you notice any of these, your brain is telling you that output quality is suffering, even if hours are high.

Is it okay to take a break when your business is growing?

Yes, and it is often the most strategic move you can make. Growth periods are high-stress, and stepping back deliberately allows you to return with clearer thinking and better strategic judgment than if you push through without rest.

How long should an entrepreneur take off at a time?

There is no universal answer, but 3-7 days of genuine disconnection is typically enough to reset mentally without losing critical business momentum for most solo operators.

How do you maintain work-life balance as an entrepreneur?

The key is treating rest as a business investment rather than a reward. Scheduling recovery time deliberately, the same way you schedule deep work, prevents the kind of burnout that can set a business back months.

How do you know when you are working too much?

Declining creativity, irritability, reduced decision quality, and physical fatigue are reliable signals. When you notice any of these, your brain is telling you that output quality is suffering, even if hours are high.

In This Episode

Is it okay to take a break when your business is growing?

Yes, and it is often the most strategic move you can make. Growth periods are high-stress, and stepping back deliberately allows you to return with clearer thinking and better strategic judgment than if you push through without rest.

How long should an entrepreneur take off at a time?

There is no universal answer, but 3-7 days of genuine disconnection is typically enough to reset mentally without losing critical business momentum for most solo operators.

About the Author

Martin Ebongue is the founder of martinebongue.com, an online business and lifestyle design blog focused on helping aspiring entrepreneurs build location-independent businesses. Since 2014, he has been creating and scaling online ventures across multiple niches, from digital products and affiliate marketing to SaaS and content platforms, while traveling the world. He shares the real-world strategies, tools, and systems that work, with a particular focus on AI-powered automation for solopreneurs. Follow him on YouTube, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

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