As we are heading to summer, what many people think is “vacation, vacation, vacation.” Unfortunately, many small business owners are not categorized as “many people.” Many – if not most – small business owners are working during vacation… and some of them even skip summer vacation altogether.
Whether you like it or not, running a small business is often more a lifestyle than a work. That (supposedly) a good thing, but one of the main drawbacks of business-as-a-lifestyle is your inability to escape work due to various reasons.
Regarding the cause of small business owner’s inability to escape work, Alice Bredin, a Cambridge, Mass.- based small business adviser to American Express OPEN, said that the contributing factors likely include improving economic conditions and a heavier workload.
And the stats support Alice’s statement; according to the recent American Express OPEN survey, 49 percent of small business owners plan to take a vacation of at least one full week this summer. That figure is down from 54 percent last spring.
That leaves several curious questions…
Are small business owners really happy with limited vacation time? Isn’t unplugging once and a while great for small business owners’ productivity? Is “working” a chronic addiction to small business owners?
Perhaps pointing out to some sources will give us some explanations…
Small business owners skip vacation – but happy
According to Rocket Lawyer’s latest survey findings, 85 percent of small business owners are either sometimes or always working while on vacation; they are willing to do so manly because their small business is experiencing growth spurts – and they want to ride the wave: 55 percent of respondents say that their business is growing in the first half of 2013. Moreover, 73 percent also say that they are confident that in the second half of 2013, their businesses will perform even better.
So, all in all, small business owners are both happy and optimistic this year – great mood to head to summer vacation, even when they can’t escape work at all – “thanks” to the mobile technology.
Here’s Rocket Lawyer’s survey results visualized in an infographic (click for a larger size):
How to make the most of your summer vacation?
Okay, let’s admit it: Small business owners are having difficulty in parting with their businesses. Mobile devices and apps make it even more difficult for them to escape work. Unplugging from any devices is possible, but it’s often a luxury; this is perhaps the price to pay when your business is part of your lifestyle.
Nevertheless, small business owners should be able to make the most of the summer break. “But how?” many would ask. Well, here are some resources which can help you to have an enjoyable vacation – with or without bringing your business and/or work with you:
How to Have a Worry-Free Vacation
What can we do to get the worry-free vacation time we need to keep ourselves and our small businesses thriving? Basically, there are three options, as suggested by Susan Ward, About.com guide.
7 Vacation Planning Tips for Small Business Owners
Trace Rollins, the article author, said that she has committed to plan and take a vacation every summer since 2006 because they energize her, fill her with new ideas, and keep her productivity high. She can tell you how to enjoy a summer vacation like her in this article.
5 Tips For Taking a Vacation While Running a Small Business
How do you get away without putting your business at risk? Susan Solovic, the small business expert, offers some tips to take a vacation and have your small business running smoothly while doing so.
The Elusive Small Business Vacation
With some planning and technology – two things you’re likely already great with – you can enjoy a vacation like a fifth grader at sleep-away camp. This article can show you how.
How to Take a Summer Vacation From Your Small Business
If you are planning on getting away at all this summer, Annie Pilon offers some tips to help your trip run as smoothly as possible for your business.
Takeaway
Although summer vacation is a luxury to some small business owners, it’s a consensus that you need a break somehow. Even a day-worth of break can make a big difference: Coming back refreshed can help you make better decision and be more productive in working on your business.
How about you? Are you taking a summer vacation this year? Any tips to share on how to take a vacation while keeping your small business runs like a well-oiled machine?
Cover photo credit: Giorgio Montersino via photopin cc
