It’s here finally, almost, the end of the school year, unless you live in Northern Virginia where school goes until the end of June.   Even if we don’t have children in school, the end of school means Summer and Summer means vacation time for so many of us! Except entrepreneurs.

If you’re an entrepreneur or the owner of a small business, why not take a vacation? Why are so many entrepreneurs afraid to take two weeks off, to really disconnect and take a vacation? The answer to that is really very short and simple. Because they haven’t set up their business to run without them!

Does that describe you? If you’re in this boat, and you don’t start planning now, next year at this time you’ll be in the same boat. You’ll be stuck at home watching everyone else drive off into the sunset sending you photos from every happy place.

There’s no secret to taking vacations, though it does involves some thinking, some planning and a high degree of commitment.

The thinking involves getting clear with yourself that you actually want to carve out vacation time, because there are some hard choices you’ll have to make. If you’re not committed to this course of action, making these choices will be an even greater challenge.

Once you’re clear that this is what you truly want to do, you’ll want to make a plan. Just like other important components of your business, if you don’t make a plan, you’ll focus on the fires that arise in your business and next year you’ll still believe you can’t leave your business for two weeks.

Your Vacation Planning needs to cover

• What absolutely must get done while you are gone
• Documenting the steps to do the work
• Who will be responsible for doing the work (delegation)
• Training them so they can do the work
• Schedule your vacation (and make reservations)

You’ll also need to create an “Oh No” action item that tells them what to do if something goes wrong.

Once your Vacation Plan is outlined, you need to take the time and do the work required to implement the plan. You need to make sure everything is documented and the appropriate person or persons are trained. This is the where most of us get derailed. A clients call with an urgent request; a new client shows up, you get called to speak at that big conference. It’s amazing all the things that can prevent you from implementing your plan.

Next it’s important to block off your vacation on your calendar, this will help you avoid scheduling any other business activities during those two weeks. Also remember to give yourself a day or two after vacation for reentry.

Finally, when you think about leaving do some mental visioning: see yourself at the beach (or anyplace you prefer) and your business in good hands. This way when you actually leave you can shut your door and disconnect knowing that the business won’t shrivel up while you’re gone.

The results of doing this vacation planning are more than just your ability to take two weeks off, as important as that is. You’ll come back refreshed and reenergized, filled with new ideas. In addition you’ll have delegated a number of tasks that if you keep delegated will free your up to do more of the work you really love. The results? A well run, growing business which will soon show up as more clients and more money; and then you’ll be thinking why didn’t I do this sooner? Next summer I’m taking a month off.

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Jane works with CEOs, Partners, Principals and Executives who are looking for Clarity, Focus and Release. My clients and colleagues call me a thought provoking Business Therapist.  My focus is helping overwhelmed executives regain clarity, let go of ambiguity, uncertainty and fear, while bringing focus to their goals and objectives.  I ask the hard questions knowing that you’re ready to answer them.

The Sage Mentor – Grow Your Business program is designed to help women entrepreneurs increase sales and expedite growth of their business.

Jane is also the author of Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Kick Your Fears in the Ass.

Additional information is available at www.lovasconsulting.com. Contact Jane by email jlovas@lovasconsulting.com or by telephone at 703.981.3157