voice mail to cover your phone when you’re out of the office. But the more important issue is your being able to get out of the office once in a while to be free from the stress of constantly conducting business.

Also, by establishing office hours and by having reasonable client expectations regarding your availability outside the office by cell phone or other means, you are establishing a professional relationship. Being available at all hours and places by c

When the success or failure of your business truly depends on you, and you alone, failure is not an option. You will work whatever hours it takes and it’s easy to stay focused on the work in front of you and landing the next client.

Taking time off or having a real vacation is often a dream for most entrepreneurs, an idea that may get talked about, but continues to get pushed aside.

Making Time for Yourself

Even if you can’t consider taking a one- or two-week vacations, it’s important to take some time off, even if it’s just a few hours here and there.

I try to take a “Barnes and Noble” break every other month. I’ll take off early on Friday and spend some time “researching” business topics or hobbies I’m interested in.

When you feel your work is never done, it may be hard to leave the office, but you just have to do it once in a while. I’ve found that chamber of commerce functions are not only good for networking and getting my name out, it gets me out of the office and away from the computer.

I also try to go to one or two weekend conferences every year. This is a great way to get new business ideas and to meet other business professionals who have similar backgrounds and interests. It is a good feeling to know that you’re not alone and that you can share ideas for coping with having your own business with others in the same situation.

Cell Phones Are Not Your Friend

I’ve noticed that more and more people are forwarding their main business number to their cell phone, making it impossible to really “leave the office.”

While I don’t want to miss an important call from a client, I think it’s not a good idea to discuss aspects of you business in public and it's definitely not a good idea to try and conduct business while driving.

Your clients will usually know you are not a big company and that you rely on voice mail to cover your phone when you’re out of the office. But the more important issue is your being able to get out of the office once in a while to be free from the stress of constantly conducting business.

Also, by establishing office hours and by having reasonable client expectations regarding your availability outside the office by cell phone or other means, you are establishing a professional relationship. Being available at all hours and places by ce

o-week vacations, it’s important to take some time off, even if it’s just a few hours here and there.

I try to take a “Barnes and Noble” break every other month. I’ll take off early on Friday and spend some time “researching” business topics or hobbies I’m interested in.

When you feel your work is never done, it may be hard to leave the office, but you just have to do it once in a while. I’ve found that chamber of commerce functions are not only good for networking and getting my name out, it gets me out of the office and away from the computer.

I also try to go to one or two weekend conferences every year. This is a great way to get new business ideas and to meet other business professionals who have similar backgrounds and interests. It is a good feeling to know that you’re not alone and that you can share ideas for coping with having your own business with others in the same situation.

Cell Phones Are Not Your Friend

I’ve noticed that more and more people are forwarding their main business number to their cell phone, making it impossible to really “leave the office.”

While I don’t want to miss an important call from a client, I think it’s not a good idea to discuss aspects of you business in public and it's definitely not a good idea to try and conduct business while driving.

Your clients will usually know you are not a big company and that you rely on voice mail to cover your phone when you’re out of the office. But the more important issue is your being able to get out of the office once in a while to be free from the stress of constantly conducting business.

Also, by establishing office hours and by having reasonable client expectations regarding your availability outside the office by cell phone or other means, you are establishing a professional relationship. Being available at all hours and places by c

working and getting my name out, it gets me out of the office and away from the computer.

I also try to go to one or two weekend conferences every year. This is a great way to get new business ideas and to meet other business professionals who have similar backgrounds and interests. It is a good feeling to know that you’re not alone and that you can share ideas for coping with having your own business with others in the same situation.

Cell Phones Are Not Your Friend

I’ve noticed that more and more people are forwarding their main business number to their cell phone, making it impossible to really “leave the office.”

While I don’t want to miss an important call from a client, I think it’s not a good idea to discuss aspects of you business in public and it's definitely not a good idea to try and conduct business while driving.

Your clients will usually know you are not a big company and that you rely on voice mail to cover your phone when you’re out of the office. But the more important issue is your being able to get out of the office once in a while to be free from the stress of constantly conducting business.

Also, by establishing office hours and by having reasonable client expectations regarding your availability outside the office by cell phone or other means, you are establishing a professional relationship. Being available at all hours and places by c

Your Friend

I’ve noticed that more and more people are forwarding their main business number to their cell phone, making it impossible to really “leave the office.”

While I don’t want to miss an important call from a client, I think it’s not a good idea to discuss aspects of you business in public and it's definitely not a good idea to try and conduct business while driving.

Your clients will usually know you are not a big company and that you rely on voice mail to cover your phone when you’re out of the office. But the more important issue is your being able to get out of the office once in a while to be free from the stress of constantly conducting business.

Also, by establishing office hours and by having reasonable client expectations regarding your availability outside the office by cell phone or other means, you are establishing a professional relationship. Being available at all hours and places by c

voice mail to cover your phone when you’re out of the office. But the more important issue is your being able to get out of the office once in a while to be free from the stress of constantly conducting business.

Also, by establishing office hours and by having reasonable client expectations regarding your availability outside the office by cell phone or other means, you are establishing a professional relationship. Being available at all hours and places by cell phone doesn’t necessarily make your business more credible or make you more service minded than the competition.

It’s rare today to see a family eating a meal together at a restaurant without someone answering their cell phone and conducting business or personal matters in public.

Use Phone Technology to Your Advantage

If you are expecting an important call and you must be out and about, check your voice mail so you control when you communicate, instead of waiting in anticipation of a call. Some voice mail features allow you notify another number when a voice mail is left—take advantage of great communication features that keep you informed.

Don’t use your cell phone as your main business number unless you absolutely have to. Also, think carefully about who you give your cell phone number to. I have one client that would call me after hours and “waste” time chatting about his business. By forcing him to use my land line, he either reaches me during business hours or leaves me a message.

Keep in mind it is not the end of the of the world if someone gets your voice mail. Think how often you call clients or vendors and you reach a voice mail system.

Some Parting Advice

While it may be difficult or impossible for you to take one or more real vacations while running your own business, it is important for you to set some boundaries and to have some mini-vacations, even if just for an afternoon so you can relax and recharge your battery.