Lessons I Learned From Taking One Month Out of the Office

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

16 Sep, 2025
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Kirby Hasseman
Lessons I Learned From Taking One Month Out of the Office

This past July, I did something that felt both exciting and terrifying: I took myself out of the office for a full month.

Now, this doesn’t mean I didn’t work. Instead, the idea was to step away from the day-to-day operations of Hasseman Marketing to see where I was acting as a bottleneck, where I was holding on too tightly, and what could happen if I created more space. The idea wasn’t mine originally—I got it from Mike Michalowicz’s book Clockwork. But putting it into practice was eye-opening, and I learned more than I expected about leadership, my team, and myself.

What I Got Right

Looking back, there were some key things I did well in preparing for this “month away.”

1. I planned ahead.
Normally, I’m the type to get an idea and want to jump in immediately. But this time, I took three full months to prepare. That planning period was critical because it allowed me to think through the details and anticipate challenges.

2. I made a list of the essentials.
Before stepping back, I wrote down every single area of the business where I thought “I have to be involved.” Spoiler alert: the list was shorter than I thought it would be. And that clarity made it easier to hand off responsibilities.

3. I trained others.
This wasn’t just about me disappearing and hoping things worked out. I spent intentional time equipping my team to handle the tasks I normally touch. Training was a huge piece of the puzzle.

4. I communicated clearly.
I didn’t just tell my team once. I explained over and over again what I was doing and why. By the time July rolled around, the team knew the purpose of the experiment—and they were bought in.

What I Got Wrong

Of course, not everything went perfectly. In fact, some of my biggest lessons came from the mistakes.

1. I didn’t schedule enough work for myself.
Without all the daily “minutiae” that normally fills my time, I got through some big projects faster than expected. Suddenly, I was left with more open time than I had planned for.

2. I wasn’t intentional with my calendar.
Instead of using that extra time wisely, I let my calendar fill up with things that weren’t always strategic. Looking back, I wish I had guarded it more closely.

3. I forgot to schedule “thinking time.”
As leaders, we all say we want more time to think. But when the opportunity came, I didn’t protect it. That was a miss.

4. I didn’t schedule fun.
This one surprised me. With the extra space, I thought fun would just “happen.” It didn’t. And since I didn’t put it in the calendar, it never made it onto the priority list.

The Lessons I Learned

So, what’s the bottom line from this month away? Here are a few big takeaways that I’ll carry with me:

  1. I don’t have to be involved in everything. The team can handle more than I sometimes give them credit for.

  2. I really love what I do. Taking a step back reminded me just how much I enjoy the work and the people I get to work with.

  3. I need to do this again. Maybe not for a full month every time, but putting intentional space on my calendar is something I want to repeat.

  4. I missed the interaction. I’m an extrovert. As much as I enjoyed the big projects, I missed the day-to-day energy of working alongside people.

  5. Build a business you don’t want to sell. Here’s the biggest one: if you ever want to sell your business, you need to build one you don’t want to sell. That means creating systems, empowering people, and building something sustainable without you in every detail.

Why This Matters

If you’re a founder, CEO, or even a manager, chances are you’re the bottleneck in more areas than you realize. Stepping out of the day-to-day, even for a short period of time, gives you a clearer view of what’s working, what’s not, and what truly requires your involvement.

For me, this experiment was worth it. I learned about myself, my team, and my business. And while I didn’t get everything right, the process gave me insights I never would have gained otherwise.

If you’ve ever thought about doing something like this, my advice is simple: plan ahead, communicate well, and then go for it. You’ll be surprised at what you (and your team) discover.

What about you? If you stepped away from the daily grind for a month, what would you learn about your team?

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Written by: Kirby Hasseman

Kirby Hasseman is the CEO of Hasseman Marketing & Communications, a full-service agency specializing in branded merchandise, digital marketing, and content creation. A passionate entrepreneur, speaker, and community advocate, Kirby creates weekly content through his popular video and podcast series, including Delivering Marketing Joy, Better Merch...Better Marketing, and Monday Minute. He is the author of several books, including his latest, Hit The TARGET, a marketing framework to help businesses reach their ideal customers, as well as Fan of Happy, Delivering Marketing Joy, Think Big For Small Business, and Give Your Way to Success. Kirby speaks to audiences across the country on topics such as marketing strategy, leadership, company culture, and personal development. Known for his energy, humor, and practical advice, he’s dedicated to helping businesses and individuals grow by building strong brands and stronger relationships.