SmallBusinessNewz

The economy doesn't seem to be discouraging small business owners from taking vacations. According to a survey conducted by American Express, the same amount that took summer vacations last year, have plans to take them again this year.

“The fact that most small business owners will vacation again this summer may not seem so remarkable, until you factor in that 56% are experiencing cash flow issues and 86% are being squeezed by rising energy and gas costs,” said Alice Bredin, American Express OPEN small business advisor. “For all of us and especially entrepreneurs, a vacation even if downscaled, is a necessity not a luxury; especially when times are stressful.” 

There is definitely something to that. Sometimes you just need to unwind for a week and then come back to work with a refreshed state of mind.

Not that many business owners won't still be working in some capacity even while on vacation.

 “Unfortunately, many small business owners have difficulty stepping away and leaving things in the hands of others,” said Bredin, “This may explain why 26% of those surveyed say they check in several times a day.” 

Maybe it's a good thing to not totally ignore your business for a week though. Perhaps you don't need to actually check in, but that doesn't mean you can't take advantage of your recreational time in a business sense. 

Vacations can provide fresh perspectives on different elements of business. Life may be different at your vacation spot, and may offer some hidden strategies that hadn't occurred to you before. Just paying attention like I talked about here, can help you gain some different perspectives. You never know where you will find useful ideas, and there is not a reason you can't still enjoy yourself on a vacation while still mentally taking note of possible ideas from other locations, even if just storing them in the back of your mind.

A third of small business owners are actually looking to link vacations with actual business trips according to the survey. This seems like a good idea financially, but do you want to have business commitments during your vacation?

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on the subject.