StartupJournal.com Says Consultants Need Vacations, Too

PRINCETON, N.J. Consultants can come and go as they please, but many are hesitant about stealing away for vacation without jeopardizing their businesses, says StartupJournal.com, The Wall Street Journalís guide for entrepreneurs.

ìEntrepreneurs often have a hard time realizing that the world wonít end if they take a week off,î says Tony Lee, editor in chief, StartupJournal.com. ìCareful planning can allow even solo practitioners to have a vacation, unwind and regroup.î

Mr. Lee adds: ìTo really relax, I recommend you leave your BlackBerry, PDA and laptops at home. These electronic leashes defeat the purpose of going away.î

StartupJournal.com offers these suggestions for consultants who want to recharge their batteries with a well-deserved vacation:

Inform clients earlyand oftenthat you will be off the radar for a certain period of time.

Plan accordinglyalign your schedule so your vacation won’t interfere with significant client activities.

Set expectationsdonít start new projects until after you return.

Tell the worldemploy an out-of-office message on your e-mail, voice mail, cell phone and Web site to alert and remind colleagues, clients and prospects that you have gone fishin’.

Catch upvacation is the perfect time for reading those newsletters you printed out yet never read, industry publications, reports and other information you just didnít have time for.

Choose wiselyseek out low-tech vacation spots that are about beauty and nature.

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