f you are feeling the stress of selling, it's time to take a break. And if you're thinking you can't afford to take time off, think again. The truth is you can't afford not to.

Sabbaticals are invaluable tools to successful sales. Their return on investment is calculated beyond dollars and cents. It's measured in renewed purpose, productive attitude and peace of mind. There's not a professional out there who won't benefit from getting away from the hustle and bustle. Even the President of the United States hops in his helicopter and retreats to his ranch for a bit of R&R. If he can fit it into his hectic schedule, you certainly can.

Here are a few tips to make the most of your next break from business:

Rearrange. You've made the right decision, now make the right accommodations for your clients. Inform your customers and co-workers that you'll be out of pocket, but reassure them you have made plans to ensure no interruption of service. Assign competent staff to take over your accounts in your absence, providing them with as much information as possible to handle any need that might arise. If you're a sole provider, inform processors and vendors who support your clients that you'll be away for a while. Ask them to look in on your accounts during your sabbatical.

Revisit. All of us have places we've gone to that have brought us enjoyment and made us smile. You daydream about them. Now is the time to go back. For some, it's a quaint bed and breakfast. For others, it's a lush golf resort. No matter the destination, it's got to be a place where there are no customers clamoring for your attention and no sales presentations scheduled.

Renew. Here's your opportunity to find the person you were when you first experienced the sweet smell of success. Rediscover the strength and spirit that has been weighed down by stress. You've removed the constraints of the workday. Let your true self surface during your sabbatical. Welcome an old friend back home.

Relax. During your time off, indulge yourself. Get a massage, play 18 holes of golf or hike a canyon. Stay in bed 'til noon and call room service. Watch old movies all night or read the latest New York Times best seller in one sitting. As for cell phones, pagers and laptops - definitely leave home without them.

Write. Whether you head off to the mountains or soak up some sun on the beach, take along a journal. Jot down new ideas, new approaches, any new thoughts that pop into your head. You don't have to organize them or prioritize them at the moment, just record them for review when you arrive back at the office.

Return. Holidays are heavenly, but for most of us mere mortals there comes a time to head back to earth and the real world. Embrace your return with new energy, new contacts and a new appreciation of not only what you have accomplished but also what you're going to accomplish.