Why taking a break is a good idea.

Clear Vision • May 13, 2016

Time Out     Time Out of Your Business…

Most small business owners work many months in a row at 70- to 80-hour work weeks and many are doing the business. As business owners we often hit a wall and sometimes we don’t even know it. We become that cranky boss more days than not. The trouble is this kind of work pace is unsustainable. Creativity suffers, resilience falters and one’s sense of accomplishment plummets. You fail to come up with new ideas or motivating yourself to work through those tough parts on assignments. You develop a general feeling of being less engaged in your work. You need a break.

About 31 percent of entrepreneurs work at least 10 hours a day, and 15 percent work every day of the week, according to a Discover Small Business Watch survey. The poll also found that 59 percent of respondents define a day off as being available for calls and emails, or working at least part of the day.
Taking time out from work to reboot your life is not just a new and enduring trend; it’s a necessity in our stress-ridden world,” write Catherine Allen, Nancy Bearg, Rita Foley and Jaye Smith, the co-authors of “Reboot Your Life: Energize Your Career & Life by Taking a Break.”And how, exactly. It starts with good business planning. Building a business model that allows you to take time out is possible for most businesses. It’s just a case of finding that help and working through the challenges. But don’t forget, the planning and implementation doesn’t happen over night – sometimes it takes many years.

Simple steps you can take yourself:
Take an hour at your favourite coffee shop, or park just to think deeply about when a break makes sense for you, and how you’re going to make it happen.
There’s no once size fits all solution for every business owner, since needs can vary so much across industries. But some things are true across the board — like writing your goals down to help crystallize and clarify next steps. Why do you want to take time off? When would you take it? Would someone step in to take care of business while you were away, or would you notify customers and clients that the business would be closed?

In some industries, these questions are easily answered – like the building industry where it’s considered the norm to take 4 weeks off from work at Christmas but time off outside this could result in you losing contracts or work flow. Or the accounting industry where it’s expected the office will be closed for 2-3 weeks at Christmas.

Great business owners can turn their business over to a capable No. 2 to run the day-to-day operations during the reboot break. When looking for your No. 2, identify the critical bits of the business that need covering. Whether it’s technical skill, computer IT speciality stills or know how to service customers, listen and solve problems.

The last point, communication is extremely important — especially if you want to make the most of your time off.

– Document your critical processes that you normally do for those who will be supporting you. Don’t forget to include the KPIs.
– Finished as many business issues, when possible
– Prepare your backup for anything that may come along, such as new business
– Let everyone know important contact information, including that of the business advisors, technical support and maintenance people.

Capital Gains Tax Implications of Subdividing Land in Australia

By Caroline Gillies • June 1, 2025
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Autumn Tax Tips: Make the Most of the Final Weeks Before Year-End

By Caroline Gillies • May 25, 2025
As we step into the final week of autumn and feel winter’s chill approaching, it’s a natural time for reflection—and that includes taking stock of your financial and tax situation. The end of the year is closer than it seems, and a bit of preparation now can make a significant difference come tax season. Here are a few things to consider as the leaves fall: 1. Review Your Income and Deductions This is a good moment to check your income year-to-date and consider whether there are any deductions you can still take advantage of. Charitable donations or investment losses might help reduce your taxable income before year-end. 2. Maximise Super Concessional Contributions If you haven’t yet maxed out your superannuation concessional contributions, there’s still time. Remember unused cap amounts carry forward for 5 years and the 2019-20 unused cap amount will expire 30 June 2025. These contributions not only help secure your future but can also offer tax benefits now. 3. Organise Your Records Autumn’s slower pace is perfect for pulling together receipts, invoices, and financial documents. Getting organised now means less stress later when tax season begins in earnest. 4. Consider Tax-Loss Harvesting If you’ve had investments that underperformed, selling them before the end of the year to offset gains can be a strategic move. Consult with us today to see if this makes sense for you. 5. Plan Ahead Winter may bring holidays and downtime, but it's also a good window to consult with a tax professional. A quick meeting before year-end can reveal savings opportunities or help avoid surprises when you file. So, as the days grow shorter and frost begins to settle in, use this time to bring clarity and warmth to your finances.

Have you Thought About Where Your Business Will Be in 5 Years?

By Caroline Gillies • May 11, 2025
At Clear Vision Accountancy Group, we offer tailored services to support your long-term success—from strategic business planning to high-end tax administration. Whether you're aiming for growth, improved profitability, or a clearer direction, we're here to help you build a plan that gets results. If you're ready to map out the next five years with clarity and confidence, contact us today on (07) 4688 2500. Our 1-Page Business Plan will help you with: 1. Vision & Purpose Where are you headed, and why does it matter? What is the core purpose of your business? In five years, what positive impact will you have made on your customers, team, or community? What do you want your business to be recognised for within your industry? 2. Growth & Scale What does success look like, and how will you achieve it? What revenue, profit, or market position are you targeting? How many clients or customers do you want to serve—and in which markets? Are you planning to expand your offerings or enter new territories? 3. Team & Culture Who is helping you build it—and how? What does your ideal team look like in terms of structure, culture, and capabilities? How will you attract, retain, and develop top talent? What kind of leadership values and workplace environment will you foster? 4. Operations & Systems How will you deliver at scale—efficiently and reliably? What systems and workflows need to be in place to support sustainable growth? Which technologies or platforms will you implement to improve efficiency? How automated or streamlined do you want your business operations to become? 5. Brand & Customer Experience What do customers say about you—and why do they keep coming back? How will clients describe their experience with your business? What kind of reputation or brand presence will you be known for? What sets your business apart from the competition ?  Our Dream it. Plan it. Get it! will help you with: 1. Lifestyle & Personal Goals How does your business support the life you want to live? What level of involvement do you want in the day-to-day operations? What does ideal work-life balance look like for you? What personal or financial goals will your business help you achieve?