Vacation
by Dan Furman on May 15, 2010
I’m going on vacation later this month. There, I said it.
I talked about this once on my old blog, but it always amazes me how touchy us American businesspeople are about vacations. It’s like we’re afraid to take them. I recall a vacation e-mail autorespond message from a client awhile back. Let’s call him “George”. His message said something like:
“I’ll be on vacation from XX to YY. However, I will be checking e-mail twice a day, and if it’s an emergency, you may reach me on my cell at XXX-XXX-XXXX. The hotel front desk # is XXX-XXX-XXXX if you wish to leave a message there as well.”
Goodness, it doesn’t sound like George is taking much of a vacation, does it?
Now, maybe I could understand this type of dedication if George was involved in, I dunno… national defense, or maybe saving lives. But I know for a fact George works in marketing. And I also know for a fact there was really nothing pressing going on at the time. In plain terms, George was scared to just “go” on vacation and cut the cord. Either he felt that way on his own, or his company bullied him into feeling that way, or maybe a combination of both. It’s no wonder he’s going bald and has an ulcer.
Not this guy. I’m going on vacation sans laptop. And my cell is a “family/friends only” cell - no biz stuff. No client will be able to get in touch with me. And no e-mail will be checked. And that’s fine - I cannot imagine a scenerio where anyone will say “Quick, get ahold of Dan Furman or ALL IS LOST!!” In fact, that phrase has never been spoken before. Which is just fine w/ me.
I was this way back when I worked for “the man”, as well. When my vacation time came, I just went - whatever I was doing could wait until I got back. It got some managers mad, but I felt that was their problem and not mine. If their tightly wound type-A personalities couldn’t handle me not being in touch for a few days, well, they’d just have to learn to live without me. And a few did - permanently…. I’m not going to say my attitude is without risk.
But at least I have hair 
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Dan Furman is a professional writer, author, entrepreneur, business consultant, and all around good guy (so they say.)
May 17th, 2010 at 12:47 am
I have two related stories.
I scheduled a trip to Australia. I forget the emergency (something about getting paperwork out on time) but my supervisor thought out loud how she might need to keep me here (in the USA).
“We’ll let you know if we need you to reschedule your trip”
People weren’t going to die, planes weren’t going to crash, and from what I remember some decent time management could have avoided the whole rush.
I went but they never asked me to stay. I was almost disappointed. Like I really would give up 2 weeks in Australia and pay the penalties on airfare and my sightseeing package.
To this day I still find it hard that she thought it was something OK to ask of me.
————-
Then there’s the contractor position I recently quit.
Called me at Walt Disney World to ask how to transfer a file. There’s a special level of Hades for people who interrupt the Magic Kingdom.
But yes, I take my vacation seriously. Weekends too. Only one business has the right to call me on weekends and holidays and it took 10 years (less really) to get that right. =)
May 17th, 2010 at 12:54 am
Oh I got sidetracked…
So yes, I don’t bother people on vacation because I know how much they’re needed.
I don’t work well if I don’t take some time off from work. I have to distance myself sometimes. =)
May 27th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
I don’t know why, but I see it too. I’ve never understood people who go to work when they’re sick, either. I wouldn’t miss a wedding unless I was in the emergency room, but most jobs definitely don’t require that. I understand people want to get paid, but just stay home.
I sometimes find it really hard to unplug but when I force myself to I am always so glad I did.