Comments on: Productivity and Vacations

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:40:12 +0000

@Saravanan,

I’m sure the others will have some ideas, but I’d say that if the work is boring or routine, I wouldn’t bring that kind of work with me. I’d find something else to do, or else just have the vacation as you say and then go back to the routine.

By: Saravanan

Saravanan — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:13:33 +0000

Hi Chris,

I have a question: I do “sometimes” routine boring work in my full time job, I make attempts to make it interesting as much as possible. But it does kill me with boredom. Should I just go for a vacation and be back or what better could be done in such a situation?

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:29:44 +0000

Great post – in the past I have found this difficult to balance. Once I quit the corporate job and started doing work that really feeds me and makes my happy, it is easy to spend a little bit of time “working” on my vacations. In fact, I usually feel really inspired on vacation.

By: Nomadic Matt

Nomadic Matt — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:53:27 +0000

I bring my work with me. It’s hard not to when your work is on the web and it requires constant attention. I try to get a good balance going but I have yet to find it. Hence on my last trip, my work suffered.

By: Chris Nakafevo

Chris Nakafevo — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:11:08 +0000

If you like what you do you’re always on vacation….

I was thinking about a favourite singer of mine, who tends to be very lyrical, definitely very poetic and he’s album is coming out quite soon and all work is done, so I was thinking maybe he’d go on a vacation for a month. But, he wouldn’t stop thinking about lyrics, beats, bars, drums, bass….in his blog he basically says he’s been breathing music everyday 24/7 365 for as long as he remembers.

By: Valeria Maltoni

Valeria Maltoni — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:45:26 +0000

It is useful to take stock of where we are and think about where we want to go next during a break. I call it recalibration. Whether a few tweaks or a major upgrade are in store, setting aside the time to work on one self (through projects and reflection) is a good investment. It is indeed an energizing endeavor.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:09:34 +0000

Good post. I just had a vacation before I deployed and although emotions kept me from being too productive, I did experience the need to work on things I normally don’t have time for in order to be productive and not get bored. In my opinion, it is much easier to write in a foreign place because of new sensory experiences and feelings. It is easy to get caught in the grind at home.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:06:56 +0000

@Linnea,

Thanks – and good luck with your transition from accountant to writer!

By: Linnea

Linnea — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:53:40 +0000

Awesome post. I just returned from a weeklong vacation. I spent a little time each evening writing out what I wanted from life. Not a full-blown GTD review (I’ll try that next time, though), but a short journal entry with a little more purpose than usual. It worked out just as you described: I came back re-enrgized and ready to tackle my first goal. Thanks again.

-Linnea