When to go on vacation?

I have the same problem. Perhaps if I didn't have a Blackberry, I'd be able to get away easier. As it is, vacation is just another word for "typing with your thumbs".

I've long ago learned that whenever you plan to go on vacation, something big at work will flare up that you just can't miss. For me, its been a major product launch (Y! Search 4) and acquisition (blo.gs) and lots of "very important things" that I certainly couldn't miss. Well, it doesn't matter when you plan your vacation, those things will pop up. So, there is never a good time to go on vacation - therefore you should plan to go on vacation any time you damn well please. Whatever time you pick will be equally good timing.

Jeremy,

I'm sorry, but I respectfully feel that (possibly) you, David, and a hell of a huge chuck of Americans have lost perspective on what's important in life.

Vacations aren't frivolous. They're a time for unwinding, for learning, for bonding with family, friends, nature. In America, we're nuts to only offer typically 2-3 weeks of vacation whereas in the more sane world, folks get 5, even 6 weeks of paid vacation.

If someone feels compelled to come back from vacations to attend meetings, this indicates several things:

1) They're living for their work, not working to earn a living, and that's sad.
Sure, we should ideally love our jobs, work hard, contribute fully... but then we need to GET THE HELL AWAY.

2) The company is fostering an unhealthy culture.
If they are so short staffed and so dependent upon a particular person urgently and desperately, then they're perpetuating a stereotype where *everyone* in the company feels guilty for or uncomfortable in taking some time off. That leads to burnout, resentment, and worse.

I know, I know, someone'll argue that it's such an honor to be SO IMPORTANT as to be indispensible to one's company. I say, bullshit. I'd rather have be indepensible to my friends, to my significant other, to my children. When I die someday, I'd rather not have on my epitaph:

"He was a tireless and slavish, er, dedicated employee"

but rather

"He lived a rich and rewaring life filled with good friends, good food, and good wine."

or

"He made a difference in the lives of those closest to him."

Just something to think about.

Sorry about not signing this entry. You and I know each other, and I'm probably known by a ton of your readers and just don't want to reap the unfair but damaging flack of being perceived as someone who is lazy and indifferent about his career.

I agree that a lot of Americans take their jobs too seriously or think that working themselves to death is the way to get ahead. For whatever reason that's part of our culture. And I agree that it's probably not too healthy. But I love what I do, It's a huge part of my life. And at least after working every day at a very cool company, I come home every day to the cool air of a redwood grove in Santa Cruz. I can remove myself a bit and hang out with my family and friends. Of course I get online and do some work at home (who doesn't?), but at least I have a nice view.

My job has enriched my life. It's what I do most of the time, and I really love it most of the time. So for me it's worth the attention.

(for the record, Yahoo has never asked me to fly home for a meeting, though I've had to make a call or two from the road... But I used to be in the Interactive Services industry, and if the client needed you, you had to be there...)

Thanks Jeremy.

I agree that a lot of Americans take their jobs too seriously or think that working themselves to death is the way to get ahead. For whatever reason that's part of our culture. And I agree that it's probably not too healthy. But I love what I do, It's a huge part of my life. And at least after working every day at a very cool company, I come home every day to the cool air of a redwood grove in Santa Cruz. I can remove myself a bit and hang out with my family and friends. Of course I get online and do some work at home (who doesn't?), but at least I have a nice view.

My job has enriched my life. It's what I do most of the time, and I really love it most of the time. So for me it's worth the attention.

(for the record, Yahoo has never asked me to fly home for a meeting, though I've had to make a call or two from the road... But I used to be in the Interactive Services industry, and if the client needed you, you had to be there...)

Thanks Jeremy.

-beach

I found the best solution is to use daylight savings time as a guide. Around October when it ends I get on a plane and go somewhere nice and tropical, and then april when it starts up again is around the time I wander back to the Bay Area and get back to work... There's no better place in the world in summer, but the winters I can do without.

-G

The idea behind going on a vacation is to get away from the job, not to fly back to it when not required.

My response here... http://www.rattledbaby.com/?p=183

J, someone you know nailed it.

Most Americans take their vacation.

Those that fly back for meetings have brought themselves to a high level within their company and therefore probably have a lot more actual control over their destiny than those who simply go on vacation. I suspect they chose this high level of participation and achievement within the company. Key word is "Chose". That is the American way.

I also chose to control my ambitions and achievements and consequently I am often interrupting vacations. The excitement however is in the creation. That would be work for me... the creation.

Anyways, the American way is choice and I suspect ambitious people chose their vacation dilemnas. That is their success and the responsibility and excitement that comes with it.

Jim