The summer is a time when most people take their foot off the gas; it's a time to relax and rejuvenate from the stresses and worries of work.

However, when faced with periods of economic uncertainty, business owners do just the opposite; they tend to panic, their survival instinct advising them that "time off" is just not possible.

Many feel the need to push themselves without stopping, cutting corners to save money; they carry more than their share of the burden of a striving business. Before they realize it, many owners find themselves trapped in a never-ending cycle of being overworked leading to frustration and exhaustion.

If you can relate to being caught up in this exasperating and maddening cycle, be warned -- you will become overworked, overwhelmed and underpaid.

During these challenging times, it's imperative for business owners to slow down and be selfish. That's right, selfish (a word unfamiliar to most entrepreneurs), the act of putting one's self first. Leaders and owners must take the time to relax and rejuvenate. In order to thrive in a difficult market, leaders must have the strength and confidence needed to motivate themselves as well as their employees. Just as important, they need clarity and focus to make positive strategic decisions. Taking proper care of yourself is vital to be at your best for your employees, your business and your customers. For your business to be at its best, you must be at your best.

Let me make a few simple suggestions to help you be at your best in order to navigate your business through some choppy waters:

1. Maintain your sanity. Schedule time away from your business to recharge your battery and give your mind, body and soul a much-needed break. Get away from the business for at least three to five business days each quarter. Don't try and find the time -- make the time. Go to a beach, the mountains, on a cruise, to a spa, or on a golfing or fishing trip, even take a day to yourself with a good book to read and someplace where you will not be distracted by the comings and goings of life. Do whatever will excite your heart, relax your mind and refill your spirit. Spend time with your spouse, family or friends. Or maybe you need time alone. Again, do whatever and be with whomever so long as you get a relaxing and/or rejuvenating escape from the daily challenges of running your business. Yes, you deserve a break today ... or at least once a quarter.

2. Maintain your confidence and a positive mindset. Keeping your confidence high is one of your chief duties as a business owner. Don't let all the doom and gloom forecasters get you down. Stay confident and positive. Do not let weeds overtake your mental garden. Pull out those destructive and negative thoughts. Take care to water, fertilize, weed and nurture your mental garden. Your confidence and positive mindset are two of your most valuable assets. Turn off the negative news and turn on the inspiration. Feed your mind and soul positive material. For example, I am reading Good To Great by Jim Collins for the third or fourth time in my life. This book inspires me to strive for greatness and that good is the enemy of great. Be sure to find your source of inspiration to help increase your faith, confidence and positive attitude.

3. Maintain your business vision. During these tough times, while you may need to adjust your strategies and tactics, stay true to your vision. While everything around you may seem cloudy and confusing, rely on the clarity of your vision to propel you and sustain you through the challenging times. Let your compelling vision be your GPS system to guide you and your organization even when you seem to be on strange roads in unknown towns. Your vision will help you stay on course or rebound quickly if you get temporarily lost.

4. Maintain your emotions. The leadership challenge for most entrepreneurs is a balance of dealing with their emotional management. Keep your emotions in check. We can be on a high when we land a great order and rock bottom when we are trying to make payroll or the mortgage payment.

We have to learn to stop riding the emotional roller coaster. Work on reducing the drama, the fire drills and knee-jerk reactions. Try keeping a proper and healthy perspective. Remember, if everything is highly important, than nothing is. Maintain a smoother ride with less extreme highs and lows. You and your employees will appreciate it.

You also need to face, accept and correct your negative emotions, limiting beliefs and FUDs (fears, uncertainties, and doubts). Now, I am in no way advocating that you check out for the summer. I do challenge you to take a "strategic time-out" to out-smart your competitors. Use these summer months to challenge your thinking, create an environment for yourself and your employees that encourages capitalizing on challenging opportunities by turning them into remarkable successes.