As we move into August, and inch ever-closer to Labor Day – the unofficial end of summer – I’ve been thinking a lot about squeezing the most out of the last few weeks of the beautiful summertime weather.  July 4th is a fading memory, and before you know it, Autumn and the “Back-to-School” mentality will take over and then we’ll enter the mad-dash through Black Friday to the Winter Holidays.  But for now, let’s stay a few more moments in Summer Vacation mode.

To borrow the thought from 80’s hair-metal band, Poison:

“I’m always workin’, slavin’ every day,
Gotta get away from that ‘same old, same old;’
I need a chance just to get away,
If you could hear me think this is what I’d say:

Don’t need nothin’ but a good time,
How can I resist?
Ain’t lookin’ for nothin’ but a good time,
And it don’t get better than this…”

Summer’s traditionally thought of as a time to take a little time off work or school, get things done around the house or do some traveling – just ask Clark Griswold.  But it’s not always that simple for entrepreneurs to leave behind their work-related responsibilities for a little fun in the sun – especially with the effects of the recession still in full swing. The current economic climate has meant that many of us aren’t even entertaining the idea of a little R & R this summer.

As an entrepreneur, it’s often difficult to take that time for yourself or your family because, too often, time spent not working is time spent not earning.  When you’re the boss, there’s rarely any PTO.  An article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal explores the topic in a little greater detail and interviews a few entrepreneurs about how the recession has changed (or eliminated) their summer travel plans.

It’s been more than 20 years (!) since “Nothin’ But a Good Time,” was a hit for Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille and the boys, but the sentiment remains true:  sometimes you just need a day-off, a weekend getaway or even a full-blown vacation.  While some of the fashion choices in the video I’ve linked may be questionable (at best), the idea of taking a little time to decompress, reenergize and refocus is one that never goes out of style.

What are your plans for relaxation (if any) this summer?  Have you found it difficult to sneak away from the office – and “unplug” from the emails, phone calls, etc. – this summer?

In closing, one more verse from Poison’s ode to relaxation – from me, to all the entrepreneurs workin’ hard out there:

“I raise a toast to all of us,
Who are breakin’ our backs every day;
If wantin’ the good life is such a crime,
Lord, then put me away…”

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