Do You Truly Go On Vacation?

Post Date

Mon, 09/08/2014 - 00:00

Categories

Lifestyle

I am a huge proponent of vacations. I truly feel that we work very hard and deserve our time away. Moreover, I believe that taking the time away helps us to do our jobs better. Giving ourselves time to “recharge our batteries” can only be beneficial to our job performance.

In the “old days,” we went on vacation and, generally, no one could get in touch with us. Only in the event of a true emergency was anyone able to get in contact with us and, sometimes, not even then. Back in the day, we were forced to relax when we choose to get away.

The internet has changed that. Now, even when on vacation we are, and are expected to be, reachable 24/7. It is a very common sight to see people “relaxing” on a beach typing away on their phones or tablets. For many years, I emphatically resisted the impulse to work on vacation. In recent years, however, I have given into the urge to read and respond to work emails while away. I have come to appreciate the renovation of most cruise ships and resorts that allow me to work on the internet from my room or anywhere on the grounds.

In planning our current trip to Alaska I was practically horrified to hear from friends that access to the internet on the cruise ship is spotty at best and only available at the computers in the boat’s internet café. In the weeks before I left, my level of apprehension was boundless due to my fear that I would be cut off from the internet. I worried about my ability to relax and appreciate the beauty of Alaska, without knowing what was going on at the office.

With the creation of the internet, do we truly go on vacation anymore?

Comments

Erik Scheibe

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I think one could make the case that "keeping in touch" is probably more relaxing than being "out of touch."

Liz Saldana

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I've negotiated deals while sitting by the pool in St. Martaan, Aruba, St. Thomas and Las Vegas, and while in Italy and Greece. We've been on a few cruises and spotty internet connection ends up being more stressful than being interrupted for business. My husband and I both remain connected while on vacation. That's just how we role!

Fred Klein

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I thrive on the action

Alan Schwartz

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What is this "vacation" of which you speak, Rona?

Corey Bearak

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For those who need it, you can leave home your mac or notebook, eschew your iPad, iPhone or smart phone. You do what works. I still recall peaking at a NY Times back in August 1994 to learn then Mayor Giuliani vetoed a bill that I had negotiated its passage with his administration; so yes I was on vacation but I was upset and without a cell-phone or email to find out what happen. It was supposed to be a done deal. And even the sort of deal done to avoid a certain override of the veto got rescinded five years later. (read about all it in the my e-book soon to be published by Joel Chadabe's firm).
Frankly, technology allows us the AWAY message and other means NOT to reply.
But why differentiate from long vacations as opposed to the brief respites -- for me attending a concert or playing ball, or dining or hanging with friends. Even responding to this blog offers me a brief respite from other things.

Nancy Schess

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I haven't learned how . . .

Gia Heeg

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I do think it is wrong to expect to be reached while on vacation, or while ill. We have allowed ourselves to be this accessible to the extreme. For example, while I was admitted in the hospital for serious pneumonia, I had my iPad with me, and while hooked to an IV responded to emails letting people know that I couldn't handle their claim issues until I was back home. To that they responded "well, what about me???"

So ever since then, I set up auto respond email, and voicemail and do not even listen or look until I get home. At some point, your time has to be yours.