The Power of Pause: Why Taking a Break is Essential for Notary Business Owners

Rest is just as important as work!

Let’s get real. Being a notary business owner means wearing all the hats. Some days, you’re the CEO, the marketing department, the customer service rep, and the IT help desk...all before lunch. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that hustle equals success. But what if the most powerful move you can make is to hit pause?

In this month’s guest blog post, my friend Jennifer Cooper shares a vulnerable and insightful look into what happens when we ignore the warning signs of burnout, and how everything changed when she gave herself permission to slow down.

Jennifer’s story isn’t just a cautionary tale, it’s a reminder that your well-being is part of your business plan. If you’ve ever felt like you’re sprinting through your days, running on fumes, or forgetting why you started this business in the first place, this post is your gentle (but firm) nudge to take a breath.

Because sometimes the smartest strategy isn’t pushing harder, it’s pulling back just long enough to reset, refocus, and rise even stronger.

Let’s dive into The Power of the Pause. You might just find the breakthrough you’ve been too busy to notice. ⬇️

My version of pausing!

As a notary business owner and any business owner, being responsible for every piece of your business to ensure its success is part of your daily life, and it’s easy to get swept away by the grind. But here’s a truth we often forget: sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is take a break.

If you’re a notary business owner, running from one signing to the next, juggling client calls, marketing your services, and keeping up with all the paperwork, you’re probably no stranger to burnout. However, taking a moment to step away might be the key to unlocking more productivity, creativity, and success in your business. Let’s dive into why hitting pause is crucial.

1. Avoiding Burnout and Preserving Quality

As a notary, attention to detail is everything. But when you’re running on empty, mistakes become more likely, and even small errors can cause big problems. Taking breaks allows you to recharge, ensuring you’re sharp, focused, and ready to deliver high-quality service whenever you return to work.

As a notary business owner, when I first encountered “burnout,” I was running so fast that I was sacrificing everything else in my life, including my family, friends, and my own mind. In the weeks before I finally hit the wall, I had many appointments where I missed the basics like stamping crucial documents or recording signer information in my journal, even forgetting to put a signing package in the mail. The non-stop push and grind to build a successful business left very little time for me to breathe, connect, and relax. It also made my credibility as a notary who knew her stuff suffer.

2. Boosting Creativity and Problem-Solving

Running a notary business isn’t just about stamping documents, it’s about problem-solving. Whether it’s figuring out how to market your services, navigating client issues, or expanding your business, creativity plays a significant role. When you’re running on empty, thinking outside the box is harder. A break allows your mind to wander and reset, sparking fresh ideas that could take your business to the next level.

When I hit that first burnout wall, I got a regular job. It allowed me a moment to breathe and reinvigorated my creativity and ability to do my business better. To be clear, I hated having someone tell me what to do, and I never stopped my notary business. Still, that break where my mind was forced to focus on something else, opened up a whole new avenue of thought and ideas for when I took on my notary business back to full-time.

3. Protecting Your Mental and Physical Health

Long hours, back-to-back appointments, and constant travel can take a toll on your body and mind. It's easy to forget that your most valuable business asset is you. Without your health, your business can't thrive. Scheduling regular breaks, even if it’s just a walk around the block or a weekend off, can improve your mood, reduce stress, and keep you in top form.

Two years after my first burnout, I was about to hit that wall for round two. The causes now weren’t the crazy work schedule; with the real estate market raising interest rates in 2022-2024, I was still working but now with repeat clients and new attornies. I also ran a notary network and attended as many training calls as possible. I was giving lots and lots of myself to everyone else and, in the process, stopped working out, meditating, yoga, bible study, and reading my devotional. I gave up my cherished morning and evening routines. My schedule and my days were in free fall. I didn’t feel good, I gained weight, I wasn’t sleeping well. All of that was bringing me right back to that burnout wall. It took a coach and friend, Jen Neitzel of Marketing4Notaries, to take one look at me and encourage me to shut it all down for a week: one week, no Zoom calls, no notary network work. The only thing I could do was take notary appointments. That one week, removing everything but work, helped me recognize what changes I needed to make and make immediately. 

4. Gaining Perspective on Your Business

It’s hard to see the bigger picture when you're always on the go. Breaks allow you to step back and reflect on how things are going. You might discover areas for improvement or simply celebrate how far you’ve come, which is important for long-term growth and satisfaction.

When Jen Neitzel encouraged me to take a week off, she also gave me a prescription. She told me I could only do three items a day. No matter how big my master to-do list was, I could only commit time to accomplish three daily tasks. At first, I thought, NO WAY. I can’t limit my daily work tasks to only three a day. But because I didn’t want to remain in the state I was in when she and I met, that's what I did. Do you know what happened? Solutions to problems came freely. Recognizing activities and tasks that weren’t beneficial to me became very clear.

In a business where every minute feels like it counts, it's important to remember that time spent on rest and reflection is just as valuable as time spent at the desk. As a notary business owner, you deserve the same care and attention you provide your clients. So, take a step back next time you feel the weight of your workload. Breathe. Your business, and your well-being, will thank you.