Ah, time off. It's an alien concept to many entrepreneurs more accustomed to 80-hour workweeks than basking in the sun on an exotic beach somewhere or splashing in a mountain stream. According to survey results from American Express, 40 percent of the smallest business owners — those with less than $200,000 in annual revenues — will not take any vacation time whatsoever this year. And about 25 percent of business owners with higher revenues expect to be business-bound all year long. Even many business owners who are planning a break won't truly get away. One of every three will link their vacation time to a business trip and half plan to check in with the office at least once a day while 20 percent will be calling several times a day. According to the Amex survey, these are the top concerns that stop most entrepreneurs from hitting the vacation highway:

1. An important client or customer will not receive appropriate service
2. The business will miss out on a new opportunity
3. There is no other competent person to leave in charge
4. The individuals left in charge will make the wrong decisions
5. An operational or equipment breakdown will occur without anyone to solve the problem

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Set a plan

To avoid unpleasant surprises, create a list of scenarios on current projects and brief internal staff or colleagues on the possibilities and chief concerns of each customer. Advance planning will ensure that clients can speak to someone who understands their concerns even if you aren't there.

I recommend: Use organizers and desk accessories to get your plan organized. Keep your calendar under control with a paper-based planner available at Staples, a computer-based calendar for Windows users or Mac users, or a handheld PDA you can carry anywhere.

Brief key clients or customers

Offer advance notice of any extended absence you are planning. Introduce your stand-ins and express your confidence in their ability to handle any issues that might arise. As an extra comfort level, consider letting them know how to reach you should a true emergency come up.

I recommend: Contact management software, such as Act, allows you to access key customer information and stay in touch easily.

Be a delegator not a dictator

If you never delegate important tasks to others at your business, you can't expect them to fill your shoes when you take time off. To create a saner schedule for yourself, and achieve a comfort level that good things will happen when you're not there, learning to delegate responsibilities is vital.

I recommend: Delegation Template Tools can help you determine how best to divvy up tasks based on employee skills. Use Project Management Templates to track which tasks you've assigned to which employees.

Try nearby mini vacations

For a quick battery recharge, get out of town for just a day or two. Even a brief escape with a change of scenery can do wonders for your perspective. Avoid the temptation to call or sneak back to the office to 'check up' on what's happening.

I recommend: For speedy air searches, use SideStep or Kayak. Check Hotels.com and Hotwire.com for hotel deals. For a fast scan of rental car options try BreezeNet.

Use time off to sharpen skills

If you are the type of person who absolutely can't kick back, then at least try taking time off to learn something new. Taking a continuing education course at a local college or business school is a low-cost and effective way to break from your business routine.

I recommend: For a comprehensive directory of accredited business degree programs, visit AllBusinessSchools.com or see the "Top 100 Entrepreneurial Colleges".

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It takes huge dedication to start and operate a successful small business, so it's not surprising that business owners can seldom take vacations completely worry-free. But with a little planning and preparation, even the busiest business owners can boost the enjoyment level of their time off and return more refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges and opportunities.