Susan Michelle's Compass
THE DEFINITION OF VACATION DOES NOT INCLUDE WORK
By travel lifestylist Susan Michelle
Aug 3, 2008 - 7:17:22 PM

Vacation: 1.) A respite or a time of respite from something.  2.) a: A scheduled period during which activity is suspended; b: a period of exemption from work granted to an employee. 3.) A period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation. 4.) An act or an instance of vacating.

In today’s era of instant information and constant communication, it can seem hard to turn off, drop out of the grid, and truly vacate, even if doing so’s just temporary.  We have forgotten what vacations really mean, and replaced them with workations.  We feel pressure (self-imposed or boss-imposed) to take our laptops to the beach; check with the office daily for messages when away; sit in the hotel on a conference call while the kids snorkel; respond to emails via Blackberry while having a romantic tropical dinner.  Why?!  

We Americans work our butts off--twelve weeks more per year in total hours than Europeans, in fact.  We’re an overworked, underpaid, endlessly plugged-in and exhausted society.  Don’t we deserve a respite?    

Yes!  And that’s the whole point of vacation--to take a break and forget the stress, the people, the mundane tasks that take up 90% of your time the rest of the year.  Vacations let you see new places.  Expand your mind.  Greet someone other than Jane at reception every day.  Dress in something other than a business suit.  Break some rules.  Drink to excess.  Pursue a hobby.  Get physical.  Inspire your soul.  Make memories.  Recharge.  Renew.  Relax.

All of that’s really hard to do when your Blackberry’s still vibrating with a question from your boss about where that latest report is, because XYZ Co. needed the numbers yesterday.  

Mr. Bossman, you’re a big boy.  Please don’t bug your employee on vacation; figure it out yourself.  Because that employee’s measly two weeks AWAY from you is the only way they can survive the other 50 weeks a year without throttling you.  And, by leaving them alone on vacation, they will, hopefully, come back happier, more enthused, and more committed…all of which makes your office then run better.

For those who LET the boss/client/colleague invade their vacation time: I know it might seem like you can’t really leave things behind, but believe me, you can.  Work will still be there when you get back.  If your company really can’t survive two weeks, one week, or even a day without you, your office needs help.

Next time you vacation, tell everyone you’ll be unreachable while away, then set up your voicemail and email to automatically reiterate that in case they try to reach you anyway.  Leave the files, laptop, and briefcase at home.  Bring the cell phone only for emergencies or vacation-related calls.  You might find yourself hyperventilating your first day of being unplugged, but by the time you get back, your rested body and mind will be thanking you, and your traveling companion(s) will be thanking you--for helping make that vacation a real “vacation”…as defined in the dictionary.