Day 4 and we are down to a 1 on the guilt-free vacation scale

Day 4 of my “guilt free vacation” and I only did one guilty thing. I plugged my Blackberry in after noticing that the battery had died to the point of the radio being off. Ok, and a snuck a look at my inbox but I didn’t reply to anything (at least I don’t think I did…so maybe that should earn me a 2 instead of a 1 but since I’m the judge, I get to pick the score!).

We had a fantastic day! Whale watching was a success and we were in the middle of a huge pod of 500-900 pacific white sided dolphins before we headed off to see a couple of grey whales. The grey whales were being harassed by a bunch of dolphins who were trying to get them to start swimming so they could go along for a joy ride. Not something you can see if you are working!

Day 1: Saturday	4
Day 2: Sunday	3
Day 3: Monday	6
Day 4: Tuesday	1
Day 5: Wednesday
Day 6: Thursday
Day 7: Friday
Day 8: Saturday
Day 9: Sunday

Scale: 0 = no guilt, no work thoughts
10 = high guilt, significant work thoughts

After squeezing in lunch, a nap (who gets a nap on a normal day??), shopping and a birthday cake for my other half, we abandoned the kids to the in-laws and had a nice dinner out at Montrio.

One more day to go in lovely Monterey…

Signed,  “Vacationing” Maven

Worked 1/2 day on Guilt-Free vacation Day 3

Day 3 of my “guilt free vacation” and due to a re-org at work and new employees being transferred to my department, it was a semi-work day. I feel that transition management is vital and speaking to these new employees and welcoming them to the team was important to me.

I did a bit of email on my Blackberry on the long drive to Monterey (I was bored), but I did appreciate N’s email response that said “WE GOT IT… RELAX!” Thanks, N!

The day ended with a fantastic walk along the coast to Cannery Row, mediocre Pizza and a walk back that included a lesson on Astronomy from my 6 year old. What we didn’t know, we made up! We certainly decided that despite the prevailing scientific opinion, we think Pluto should still be a planet.

Day 1: Saturday	4
Day 2: Sunday	3
Day 3: Monday	6
Day 4: Tuesday
Day 5: Wednesday
Day 6: Thursday
Day 7: Friday
Day 8: Saturday
Day 9: Sunday

Scale: 0 = no guilt, no work thoughts
10 = high guilt, significant work thoughts

Looking forward to whale watching, wandering, eating and shopping. Blackberry stays in the hotel.

Signed,  “Vacationing” Maven

Guilt-free vacation – Day 2 Guilt free until 9pm.

Day 2 of my “guilt free vacation” and it was a pretty fabulous day. Out to brunch at Tulí Bistro with the whole family and then to the Matinee of the Sacramento Ballet’s rendition of Carmena Burana followed by dinner at friends (after squeezing in a quick run out to the airport to pick up the mini-van).

After hustling 2 tired kids home to bed (6 year olds really need their sleep while 8 year olds still bounce), I decided to put together my “keeping me up at night” list and send it off to my employee who is lucky enough to be me for the week. Writing this email required opening my inbox and frankly, I am not sure how I feel about the shot of adrenaline at 9 pm. On the positive side, I’m typing faster!

Day 1: Saturday	4
Day 2: Sunday	3 – Managed to limit the damage to about 60 minutes.
Day 3: Monday
Day 4: Tuesday
Day 5: Wednesday
Day 6: Thursday
Day 7: Friday
Day 8: Saturday
Day 9: Sunday

Scale: 0 = no guilt, no work thoughts
10 = high guilt, significant work thoughts

I do have a few work related items that will encroach tomorrow. Feeling positive that we can get to near zero at some point during the week! Off to bed since it’s early to rise tomorrow. Hopefully my packing for travel expertise will come in handy in the morning.

Signed,  “Vacationing” Maven

Guilt-free vacation – Day 1

Well, it’s day 1 of my “guilt free vacation” and things are going pretty good so far.

There are several work-related items on my list that are causing some guilt. I am debating whether or not I delegate them or do them myself.

My colleagues have been very supportive. We have agreed on a special SMS code to my non-work cell phone should I need to look for something which should all but eliminate the need to watch for the little red blackberry blinking led.

So on a scale of 0 = no guilt, no work thoughts, to 10 = high guilt, significant work thoughts, I give today about a 6.

Day 1: Saturday	4 – have to log into work email to delegate some “critical” tasks at some point before Monday morning.
Day 2: Sunday
Day 3: Monday
Day 4: Tuesday
Day 5: Wednesday
Day 6: Thursday
Day 7: Friday
Day 8: Saturday
Day 9: Sunday

I did get all of my hotel, rental car and activities reservations done though! Actually leaving town for vacation should really help in the “now work” categories.

Off to run some errands!

Signed,  “Vacationing” Maven

Guilt-free vacation starts in less than 24 hours

As you recall from a few days ago, I posted about vacation guilt.

Well, it’s Thursday night and my “guilt free” vacation begins tomorrow after work. It’s 5 days off work and 4 days of weekends.

I am planning on keeping a “work guilt” scoreboard of any work related thoughts or activities.

Day 1: Saturday
Day 2: Sunday
Day 3: Monday
Day 4: Tuesday
Day 5: Wednesday
Day 6: Thursday
Day 7: Friday
Day 8: Saturday
Day 9: Sunday

Right now I’m feeling guilty for thinking about my time off vs. doing late night inbox management. Fortunately I’m jet lagged from my business trip to UK so sleep deprivation trumps guilt.

I’ll post a list of guilt minimizers tomorrow. In the meantime, I have a feeling I’m going to need additional help with “guilt-free” tips and tricks. Please post yours!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,
Maven

Vacation guilt? Girls, we have to get over it!

I just ran across a link to the Expedia.com – 2009 International Vacation Deprivation™ Survey Results in this morning’s Pink Magazine ‘Mini Getaways” Newsletter.

Some of the horrifying highlights (Source: Expedia):

About one-third of employed U.S. adults (34%) usually do not take all of the vacation days they receive each year

24 percent – of employed adults check work email or voicemail while vacationing.

Men are more likely than women to take a 2-week vacation (12% men vs. 8% women). However, women are more likely than men to feel guilty about taking time off from work (40% women vs. 29% men).

And guess what?? I am GUILTY AS CHARGED! I am planning to take next week off for spring break while my children are out of school. It’s only 5 days and I hope to role model a actually taking time off and skipping the guilt.

Stay posted and I’ll let you know if I come up with any musings on guilt reduction methods.

Wish me luck.

Feeling dubious,  Maven.

Links:

Expedia.com Vacation Deprivation™ site: www.vacationdeprivation.com.

Need more ideas? Girlfriend Getaways: http://www.girlgetaways.com/

Subscribe to the Little Pink Book Newsletter: http://www.pinkmagazine.com/newsletter/subscribe.aspx

Personal is personal… don’t be confused

In this day and age of the Blackberry, iPhone or name your flavor of smart phone, there is absolutely no reason to tell your boss about every non-work related item that you might need to take care of during work hours. And when are work hours anyway??

Many jobs are more structured but most corporate professionals “own their own” calendars and work whatever hours need to be scheduled to get the job done. With instant access to email, corporate IM on smart phones and more, being out of touch is a choice not a technical limitation.

So why do we still feel compelled to fill our boss and co-workers in when we have to go to the dentist or go to a quick parent teacher conference or run our grandmother to her doctor appointment?  Stuff happens… we deal with it. While you are driving from point to point, you are probably on a conference call. When you arrive, you flip open your Blackberry and check for any urgent emails. While in the waiting room (waiting…) you log into IM and make yourself accessible for any quick questions.

As your boss, as long as I can get a hold of you in a reasonable amount of time, I don’t need the details and where you are. If I get too many details, over time those details start to “pile up” and even if your work has NEVER been impacted, doubts start to creep in. I start to wonder that if you are a teeny bit late on a deliverable that perhaps you’ve been out shopping for bonbons.

Oh, and don’t fill me in on your medical history during happy hour… I DON’T WANT TO KNOW!

Best, Maven

P.S. Maven Tip: If the personal stuff is out of whack, I’ll eventually notice…even if you don’t tell me. Keep it reasonable and ruthlessly manage your priorities and schedule.