This week I have been on vacation with my family in VT.

Mountain biking at Von Trapp Family Lodge

One of the balances I always struggle with is work while on vacation. I know that many people just shut down all together, put on an auto-reply and disconnect. I tried that once for four days a couple of years ago, leaving my laptop and cell phone behind.  It took me at least half a day to clear my head, and I reached for my phone a dozen times within the first two hours.  My wife got an emergency phone call from my office about a medical issue with of our key leaders, and then somewhere in the middle of the fourth day my brain kicked into work mode and all the things that awaited me upon return.  Can’t say I got the full four days out of disconnect, but the wow was the e-mails that awaited. Ouch.

So this week I tried a new approach.  I have chosen to get up early, do work until 11:00 then shut down for the rest of the day. Heck with three teenagers and an eleven year old I usually have to wake up a couple of them at 11:00 to get their days rolling.

The system seems to have worked great.  Low stress of thinking about work, lots of family time, and my emails are way under control.  I feel connected yet certainly feel engaged with the whole family.  But this is my system, and it may work for you, but you have to find your own. The family deserves to have their time.

I consider our work at Solution Tree and MRL too important…and fun…to not be connected.  I like work, and heck it is my vacation too!