email on vaca--where do you stand?
- Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Because Pete has his own firm and there isn't anyone else to "cover" for him when he's away, he has to be a #1. BUT, he only checks email/voice mail twice a day and it has never been a huge issue.
Me? I learned the hard way that having a lap top on vacation is a bad idea. One year, we spent way too much time in "parallel" play at the villa on our respective lap tops. A villa with a lovely view. A villa with a pool. A villa with just the two of us. No kids.
We didn't realize how frickin' much time we'd wasted on the internet and on email, etc...until we got home. NEVER AGAIN!
When we go to STJ, we stop reading/posting on the forum, we don't post on or read facebook, we do not text unless it's kid related or related to someone on island we want to connect with.
UNPLUG if you can. It's the only way to truly escape. At least for us.
Me? I learned the hard way that having a lap top on vacation is a bad idea. One year, we spent way too much time in "parallel" play at the villa on our respective lap tops. A villa with a lovely view. A villa with a pool. A villa with just the two of us. No kids.
We didn't realize how frickin' much time we'd wasted on the internet and on email, etc...until we got home. NEVER AGAIN!
When we go to STJ, we stop reading/posting on the forum, we don't post on or read facebook, we do not text unless it's kid related or related to someone on island we want to connect with.
UNPLUG if you can. It's the only way to truly escape. At least for us.
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
I used to run a multi-store, privately owned business. I was rarely able to take a vacation. One time I took a 10 day vacation and Wow! the place was still there when I got back. I decided then and there that if the business couldn't live without me for a couple of weeks, then I wasn't a very good manager.
As far as the times that we went to STJ while still working that business, I told them that there was no phone in the place we were staying. The closest thing that I've done to communicating with anyone was a couple of years ago. I went into Keep Us Posted in Coral Bay and did a "live" post to this forum, just for fun.
As far as the times that we went to STJ while still working that business, I told them that there was no phone in the place we were staying. The closest thing that I've done to communicating with anyone was a couple of years ago. I went into Keep Us Posted in Coral Bay and did a "live" post to this forum, just for fun.
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.
I'm a 1 for sure. I check each morning, then again while my DW is cleaning-up after our days at the beach.
I do, however, set an expectation with my work team that I'll respond to quick questions, but will not review documents, participate on conference calls, or deal with anything other than a short answer/opinion. This has worked really well for me. I don't fall too far behind, and I don't spend too much time working while on vacation.
The benefit of my job is that it affords me the chance to take an annual trip to the islands. I'm willing to trade a few minutes a day while on-island for that benefit.
I do, however, set an expectation with my work team that I'll respond to quick questions, but will not review documents, participate on conference calls, or deal with anything other than a short answer/opinion. This has worked really well for me. I don't fall too far behind, and I don't spend too much time working while on vacation.
The benefit of my job is that it affords me the chance to take an annual trip to the islands. I'm willing to trade a few minutes a day while on-island for that benefit.
- nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
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- Posts: 756
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:56 am
- Location: Virginia
We are a 1. family.
Husband has a very specialized business and things come up that need to be dealt with, some stuff that simply can't wait until we get home - like a 2,000 employee factory shutting down because of an insurance issue that could be resolved with one phone call.
I have no problem with it as he checks in once in the morning and once in the late afternoon.
Its the life he/we choose. After all, it is the business that allows us to travel to STJ.
Now, I would feel differently if he was checking in constantly and dealing with dumb stuff. Fortunately, he can leave 99.9% go until we return.
Husband has a very specialized business and things come up that need to be dealt with, some stuff that simply can't wait until we get home - like a 2,000 employee factory shutting down because of an insurance issue that could be resolved with one phone call.
I have no problem with it as he checks in once in the morning and once in the late afternoon.
Its the life he/we choose. After all, it is the business that allows us to travel to STJ.
Now, I would feel differently if he was checking in constantly and dealing with dumb stuff. Fortunately, he can leave 99.9% go until we return.
I'm a little worried about or next trip because I have a) learned how to check facebook on my phone and b) have this new iPod that can get on the Internet. I don't want to spend my whole trip worrying about back home.
But I was good in Florida, so I think I'll be fine on St. John. At least this way I can access the ferry schedule if I lose it ... not that I'd ever do that.
But I was good in Florida, so I think I'll be fine on St. John. At least this way I can access the ferry schedule if I lose it ... not that I'd ever do that.
Me: never to work related email.
John: Once a day on weekdays, usually when I am making lunch. He's had to do conference calls a couple of times too. It used to irritate me, but I got over it. It is a fact that if he did not check in, we would not be able to go for as long as we do.
John: Once a day on weekdays, usually when I am making lunch. He's had to do conference calls a couple of times too. It used to irritate me, but I got over it. It is a fact that if he did not check in, we would not be able to go for as long as we do.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
I never check work email on vacation but I do have a blackberry that is personal and provides me access to FB and I have a side business so I check email for that but it's very minimal and as the vacation goes on, it gets less and less.
I love checking out on vacation - that's what vacations are for
I love checking out on vacation - that's what vacations are for

NancyB
I am a 1 or a 2 depending on how crazy the office is at the time. This year I went in June (a first) which is a very busy time, but the only time that worked for all, and I simply triaged. My boss and assistant have my personal cell and are very good about only calling in the event of a true "emergency". Anyone else at the office has to go through one of them to get to me.
Returning to 1000 messages or worrying about what is happening in my absence stresses me out more than just checking in once or twice a day to clear things out. I forward most on to be handled by others anyway. I don't actually DO any work! LOL.
Returning to 1000 messages or worrying about what is happening in my absence stresses me out more than just checking in once or twice a day to clear things out. I forward most on to be handled by others anyway. I don't actually DO any work! LOL.
No work email, but if we're traveling without the boys we like to be able to check in with them.
I bring the laptop - primarily because I like to download the pictures from the camera(s) each day, but if we're back at the villa and the bugs chase us inside it's nice to be able to come onto the forum and gloat, er I mean, report!
I bring the laptop - primarily because I like to download the pictures from the camera(s) each day, but if we're back at the villa and the bugs chase us inside it's nice to be able to come onto the forum and gloat, er I mean, report!

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