Summer officially arrived less than two weeks ago and for many small business owners feeling the time and cash crunch, a vacation is out of the question. For a season that provides relaxation for many, fun in the sun and long evenings spent with friends, the exact opposite can be true for those running their own business.
How can you get some time off for yourself this summer?
Think of smaller ways to celebrate the season, not all of which will involve getting away.
If you can afford it, a spa weekend is a quick and very relaxing getaway, but leave your electronic devices at home if at all possible! Another idea is a day or two at a resort area or rental cottage nearby. Having even one day to relax at the lake, take the canoe out in the early hours of the morning or spend a late evening around a fire can recharge your energy levels and make you feel better about getting back to work. If nature isn’t your thing, there are usually bed and breakfast inns not too far away where you can sign up for nearby agricultural tours or wine tastings. Whatever fits your interests, there is sure to be something within a fairly short distance that can give you a day’s reprieve from thinking about your business.
While others are spending their summer relaxing, start organizing a mini vacation for later in the year. Prices at most popular areas drop once school starts and September can be a beautiful month to take a week off. If you set everything up right, what is considered a very busy season for small businesses can flow smoothly with minimal input from you while you enjoy a peaceful few days gearing up for the fall and winter.
Not everyone enjoys the muggy, hot weather and if you are one of these and prefer the snow and cold then this is the time to get down to work and move ahead of the competition. Getting your finances in order and focusing on your business through the summer and working extra hard at what you love to do can be a vacation of sorts for some people. Set some end of year goals and use this opportunity to advance professionally. Apply for upcoming fall and winter courses that will help add value to your business, whether it be product or service based. Knowledge about anything that pertains to your business is always worthwhile and should be a continuing effort.
Hire a virtual assistant or team to take over any absolutely necessary tasks for a day or a week and spend each day as a tourist in your own city or town or those nearby. Most of us never take a close look at what our own area has to offer and are often amazed at what is available so close by. Sign up for a tour or one day bus trip; some tour companies even have one day mystery trips with unknown destinations! There are also walking trips, museums and art galleries if you live in or near a larger centre. Concerts and plays are particularly popular during the summer, many of them at outdoor locations. There are also fairs, festivals – the list goes on. Take advantage of your own locale and get out there and do something different.
Even if you aren’t taking a break from work, take some time out to reflect on the past year – your successes, your mistakes – and learn from them. Celebrate your successes and the wonderful summer weather in whichever way you choose, either solo or with friends and family. Don’t forget to take advantage of the early mornings and beautiful sunsets, they’ll be gone before you know it and another fall will be upon us!
© Chris Draper, DemGen Inc. 2013
