In case you haven't noticed, things have been pretty quiet around here for the last week. No, CaseySoftware didn't go under. In fact, just the opposite... we're expanding operations in a couple new areas by the end of the calendar year. This past week was a well-deserved and massively required break.

When you're running a small business, taking time off seems unlikely, even impossible. You know things are going to ex/implode while you're gone. More importantly, since you're often your own Business Development team, you know that taking time out can be devastating longer term... so here are some tips in making it happen.

• First, schedule it far in advance. The farther the better. I scheduled this September trip sometime in April.
• Second, you can schedule it to overlap with a holiday. If you can turn a four day weekend into a six, have you really cost yourself much?
• Finally, have a backup plan. Who responds to email and the issues that will come up?

Alright, so all of those can be difficult at best and seem impossible 98% of the time. So is it really worth it? I would have to say unequivocally Yes. Taking time off can do a variety of things.