When you work for yourself, can you really take a vacation from your home business?

The simple answer is "yes." After all, isn't that why we work at home? Don't we want more freedom, more opportunity to spend time with our families? Then how is it that so many work-at-home entrepreneurs end up working more hours, and taking less time off, than regular folks?

The highly disciplined art of working for yourself works two ways. Sometimes we need to focus just as sharply on our quality of life. It's just too easy to "get addicted" to watching our stats, checking our email... What if we applied the same discipline to our lifestyle?

Everyone relaxes differently, and I like to divide my home business into seasons, that way, I have some months in which I can totally devote myself to new projects, setting goals, and researching and learning about new opportunities.

I confess, when there's something new on my plate, I can't leave it alone, and it's not uncommon for me to work until after midnight, mastering new techniques for making money online.

But I have to be equally strict with myself about time off.

From time to time, I make a new list of two things:

By writing these things down, I am able to set short-term goals for the next three months. It helps me focus on my immediate "to do list," along with giving me something to look forward to. If I set certain goals for myself, along with a deadline, I get more done.

Likewise, if there's a reward at the end of the three months, I can, without any feelings of guilt, leave it all behind and enjoy the income I have earned.

You might do it differently, but remember to stop and smell the roses. Reward yourself with a vacation or treat after reaching each goal, then return to work renewed, and you'll find you're more focused in short bursts.