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A vacation after your vacation?

jeff & alicia

Having fun? Isn't it healthy to enjoy yourself, take a few vacations, and not be a workaholic? Easy said, but hard to sometimes do. Especially in the real estate business. Do you try to take a vacation?

I try and make it a point to get away at least 1 week a year. This year, maybe I'll get to enjoy 3 trips. I don't have any kids, but I did get a shore house with my sister, her family, and my parents for a whole week. With 4 kids, so much to do sometimes, it can make you tired quickly.

lap top

If you take a vacation, how many of you take your lap top with you? Do you allocate time in the morning and just at night? Do you have your cell phone near you at all times? Do you work twice as hard before you leave on vacation, so you don't have as much to do while on your trip?

Every year we stay in Ocean City, New Jersey. On the news last night, they were talking about having Ocean City open to public internet access. WOW. Imagine that, taking your lap top any where that you would go to while on vacation. Could this ruin some family trips? Just maybe, for those die hard workaholics. Me? I cut back a little this year, trying to enjoy myself. But I still feel worn down some.

jeff

The question is, do you need a vacation from your vacation? I know I will. At least I will have all of Sunday to myself, catch up on a little work, and definitely taking little cat naps throughout the day.

Overall, keep in mind why you went on that vacation. That family and down time should be very important to you. Even if you are a workaholic or even addicted to Active Rain, making time. Not sure if many of you noticed, but I didn't comment on as many blogs as I normally do. Just relaxing and spending time with my nieces and nephews was very important to me.

Lastly, I can't complain about the weather. Just a 1/2 a day of rain and 2 days of partly cloudy weather. Now off to the beach since it is mostly sunny. But first I need to wake up and get off the couch.

UPDATE : 7/8/07 Here is why I need what I wrote about. :My Family's Favorite Hang Out is Ocean City, New Jersey...... July 2007

Posted by Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages - USDA loans on 07/06/2007 09:35 AM

Comments (39)

vacation, active rain, workaholic

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39 Comments on A vacation after your vacation?

JUL

2007

I always take my laptop (or better yet my husband's so if it is destroyed, lost or stolen I still have mine at home! :-)

I have learned I feel more stress wondering who is trying to reach me than if I simply log on a couple times a day. Of course I warn all clients via conversation and again via email and VM that I will be gone so it drastically cuts down on my mail.

I swear by vacationing and do it at least 2x per year

HI Jeff, I do take my tablet. I do read on AR, but I don't do it as much as at home. Actually I enjoy it ! But, do I sit in front of my computer all day. ABSOLUTELY not !!

Have fun !!

I am new to real estate but old to being a workaholic. I can't go anywhere without my laptop, and check my e-mail several times during the day. I know it drives my husband crazy, but I just can't help it :)

Just responded to a similar post

Yes we all need down time

I usually do Vermont for a weekend in fall, vegas for 5 days in summer and Caribean for a week in Spring

we also try and get down the jersey shore for a weekend or so during the summer

if we dont have down time we burn out and are useless at work and home

We're going on vacation in a couple weeks. My little sister in law is getting married in Charlotte, then over to Knoxville to drop my kids off with Mom, then hubby and I get time to ourselves in Gatlinburg. I WILL take my laptop, but once we get to Gatlinburg I won't be able to use it. Still, I can upload my pictures into it and keep my camera ready.

Not being able to check in will make me slightly insane ...

I do take the laptop - but it stays in the hotel room. Cell phone is always with me - but turned off and periodically checked in case of urgent - and I mean "can't wait" messages.

just what I wanted to see first thing in the AM - Jeff B Topless... and in shorts...

part of my weekend on vacation in and outside of Chicago involved staying away from the lense of my camera :)

Vacations have lives of themselves! We should treat them with respect and not feel guilty for it!

Jeff- I bring my laptop with me. I usually take 3 vacations a year. The one I can't wait for is my Deer Hunting trip. I Hunt until about lunch time,Then I return to camp, check in, and return voice mails and then it is back to the woods. I have wifi @ my cabin and I let my Realtors know that I am out of town and I will be checking emails at night. It has worked fine for me the last couple of years. I trust the people that I work with and if something came up that needed immediate attention, I am sure that I could get help from my office.

Oh it looks like you got some well deserved relaxation.

Is that your version of a couch potato?

Hey Jeff,

That's great advice, it's just so hard to get away, but I know my kids and my wife need it and maybe I need it a little...

Thanks for the idea of vacationing, I think it's time..

Tom

Jennifer.... that's great that you do it at least twice a year. I have gotten 1 week in the last 3 years. Prior to that, I went 3 years without a vacation. This year, I plan on two more trips. One out to California and one to Key Largo.

Missy..... well, I love AR... I was spending 30 hours a week on it the first 4 months here. I tried cutting it down to 20 hours, which was tough. This week, while on vaca.... maybe 9 hours since last Saturday? WOW... a record low. Okay, time to leave. ;o) Still 2 more days to have fun. Thanks

Dawn.... nothing wrong with that. But most of all, just planning your week out or sometimes your day. Especially while on vacation. I am always checking e-mail. this year was something special, because I bought a Treo 750 4 months ago. It works great for checking my e-mail no matter where I am at.

Dominick.... those are some good trips. Can I come? I am also planning a 3 day skip trip in January. Trying to get a bus load of friends together.

Sarah.... lol You'll live. If you get figgity, just have a few drinks. I have been to Gatlinburg once before, back in the early 80's.

Are you going to meet with Leigh Brown when you go to Charlotte?

Tony.... Sounds reasonable. I am sure so many people overdue it at times, while on vacation.

David P...... lol you can hardly see my top. I hope I didn't ruin your cup of coffee.

David B..... you are exactly right, that we should not feel guilty when on vacation. But real estate and mortgages seem to be harder at times, especially if we take our work seriously and personally. And for the fact that many of us basically work for ourselves in so many ways. But again, your comment has so many valid points that we need to pay attention to as we get older and not to burn ourselves out.

Shaun.... I am not much of a hunter, but your trip sounds relaxing. With cell phones having e-mail, it does make it much easier.

In regards to being a couch potato? I didn't have much time on this trip. lol That was my first cap nap all week and it only lasted 15 minutes.

Tom... I have found that you always need make time. Don't talk about it, just do it. You only live once. thanks

Looks like ya forgot your sunscreen. Did you get fried too? Sunburns are always FUN!!

Glad you're having fun! We really don't have anywhere to go...I mean, we're already here. Our idea of a vacation is staying home and enjoying each others company. Watch movies, blog (oops...already do that lol) Have fun...then back to work! What a cutie she is.

Jeff, glad you could take some time off and spend it with family. I actually get several vacations in every year. I try to take at least 1 vacation where I do not work at all. No laptop, cell phone or calls to the office. It's hard to get recharged if I'm still putting out fires, following upo with leads or conditions. My wife really appreciates it when I do.

Hey Jeff, This reminds me of last month when we met out there.

Here is Jeff's post on our meeting West meets East, thanks again Jeff!

It is hard to get away and not work in this business. There is always something to do, blogging is a good way to wind down a day.

Have fun!

I have kids.... So I am sure that I will need a vacation after my vacation

Jeff, I like the last picture! That's MY idea of a GREAT vacation!

I have to take the computer. I spend very little time on it, but I would feel weird being completely disconnected. Jim can't be without his phone, so I guess we're balanced.

Man, that couch looks comfy! I think it takes at least two days working double-time for every one day on vacation to catch up. =) I'm a workaholic, my computer and phone go everywhere but i do turn them off on occasion.

I am with Leigh! One time my wife and I went to the beach and when checking in (2AM because I wouldn't leave the office until everything was done) my wife made a comment about me being a workaholic. I vehemently denied it, but the gentleman checking us in shut me down. He ask, "Let's see if you are a workaholic. Did you bring your laptop on vacation?" I was busted!!

Seriously though, I work with a partner so we do get away. He is at the beach right now with his whole family... lucky guy!

Becky..... no, I used sunscreen, but only # 8. I actually didn't get fried for the first time in 4 years. I did get a little red on the cheeks, shoulders, and a tad on the chest. The rest of me? Brown/tan. Another week and I would be semi dark. Oh well.... ;o)

Sally.... I don't think you have a bad gig there at all. Even though it looks gorgeous there, I need my seasons. I love snow..... but if I was a billionaire, I would be back and forth often. Enjoy the the scenery and each other. And oh yea... blogging. ;o)

Larry..... thanks. And not having a wife I guess helps, but it would be nice. ;o) But girls that I have dated in the past always understood. But my mom still doesn't and was a little upset with me last year. I said, do you want to pay my bills? lol

Jonathan.... yes, you were out here for a few weeks, right? And yes, it was great meeting you. Hopefully we can do it sometime soon again. I am going to try and make a trip out to San Diego county on late August. I'll keep you posted.

Tom.... how many kids do you have? Sorry I couldn't take your call the other day. I'll try you over the weekend.

Linda.... nah, it's nice to take a quick nap, but I wouldn't want to miss anything. Isn't that what a true vacation is suppose to be? Today we took the kids on the water slides. Now I will need a nap tonight... lol

Maria.... this was my first vacation in many years that I didn't spend much time on the computer. Having a cell phone with e-mail certainlyhelped. But I still need my lap top, hence AR. ;o)

Leigh..... yes, it was. But it was a 15 minute power nap.... lol Then I had to return 3 phone calls. I never turn my phone off, but I will turn the ringer down if I am eating dinner or taking that quick nap. Well, the 2nd rarely happens. ;o)

Olan..... I have been in the office that late a few times. And that is funny that the guy checking you in did bust you. lol Thanks for stopping by.

Jeff - glad to see you got a chance for some R&R. We're heading out to Cali. in a few weeks. I plan on leaving the cell phone at the hotel with the laptop during the day. I do have kids and I worry they're memories of me will be of mom standing in the background of sporting events, school performances and vacations with her cell phone to her ear! I just have to say "NO" sometimes. How did business EVER get done before fax,email and cell phones, right?!? We still have an agent in the office with no cell phone, and he doesn't check email. He has plenty of business and has time to drive to other agent's offices and meet clients in person. We CAN put down the technology and we won't die! Sorry for the long rant, I guess you hit a good topic!

Jeff, it depends.....on where I am going. If I am on land - and not out at sea - I take my tablet and my Treo 650. If, on the other hand, I'm out to sea, which I will be in September for 13 days, then, no, I leave my tablet at home and just take my Treo. I always leave someone behind to cover for me. My husband needs my undivided attention at least during a cruise, don't ya think?

JUL

2007

Jeff,

The lap top comes with us all the time. I try and use it for e-mail only and not surfing the web and I limit my visits to AR.

We have needed to take a few rest days after some of our vacations LOL depending on whet we do on vacation. We also do mini vacations...long weekends as often as we can and then take at least 2-3 weeks a year.

Chrissy..... I was actually really good this vacation. I cut down my lap top time by more than half from last year. And I didn't even have AR to log onto last year while on vacation. ;o)

In regards to that agent that still doesn't use a cell phone and lap top....WOW... I just can't live without mine. Thanks for the feedback.

Teri..... even if I took a cruise, I would bring my lap top. You can buy airtime when on a cruise now. But I would limit my time no matter what. Just as I did on this vacation. But at least you give your attention to your husband.

Monika.... taking little mini vacations are great. I use to take these all of the time, down at the shore. I need to get back to this. Thanks for sharing this.

That is why we have the motor home Jeff. It is easy to squeeze in a mini vacation since we travel with our own house on wheels.

We went to Vegas for a week in March. We had a great time. The rest of the year we will take some mini vacations.

Your couch picture is my favorite activity or should I say in-activity while on vacation (since I get so little while working. Just got back from the Florida Panhandle on a little 4 day getaway with my family.

Jeff,

I recently spent a week traveling between the Jersey Shore, NYC, and Hunter Mountain. I only touched a computer once the whole time. I did return calls when needed.

Jeff, you have white Irish skin like me, I can see your sunburn that isn't covered with sand! OUCH! Getting away from technology now and then gives me a new appreciation for it, and it makes me realize there is so much more to social life than the keyboard! It's so easy to be "too busy" for extended family & friends, I try hard not to be so busy!

Is that your niece? She's a cutie.

JUL

2007

Monika..... a motor home could be nice at times. Easy to pick up and get away. The use of a plane is just as easy for me. ;o)

Vicki.... Vegas is one place I have not gotten to.... yes, I know. lol But I will be there at the end of this year.

Tony.... I actually like this type of activity when at home. But when on vacation, I hardly see the couch. So much to do, no matter what vacation I go on.

John..... I need to touch the computer a little more than that. But you do make a good point. thanks

Sue.... yes, I have Irish white skin. But that burn that you see only hurt a tad for just the night. After that, it was fine. I used a different type of suntan lotion that day. And I didn't really cover my upper arm part and some of my chest. The rest was fine.

And yes, that is my niece. She was a lot of fun, especially on the water slide. She is 3 yrs and 3 months old.

Jeff, I have learned to take vacations where my cell phone doesn't work....Of course that doesn't work with the laptop I am addicted to it. I went on vacation to Virgin Gorda, BVI, cell phone didn't work but every restaurant had wireless access and the island is only 12 miles long. ( so that's alot of wireless available)....But I leave my processor explicit instructions and she always come thru for me

JUL

2007

Jeff - get your shoes off the sofa - I know your mother taught you better than that

Marie.... wow, go to places where your cell doesn't work? I need my cell.....even when on vacation because if we get separated or need something, we call each other. But as you stated in regards to your processor, communication is key. thanks

Thesa..... lol yes ma'am. ;o) It was a cat nap.... lol

Note to self...I need a vacation! I would have to take my lap top and blackberry with me, but I wouldn't respond the way I normally do, I would make sure everyone knows my schedule and my assistant is readily available for them. Then, I would only call her 5 or 6 times a day ;-)

My favorite campsite...mini vacations are great. If I don't like my neighbors I just drive away.

AUG

2007

Jeff, I'm making a horrible admission to my dedication to real estate. My family and I were supposed to go to Disneyland in June. I was just in my first year of real estate and 3 closings all for the same week of our vacation. So I had to work on my family and do some negotiations (what? with family) to change our plans. We're now going to Disneyland in May 2008 and tomorrow taking off to West Yellowstone for 4 days. We're all so excited, but I've learned quite a lesson from that, playtime with family is desperately needed. They need to know how important they are. Your blog is great and touches some points that, yeah, I'll need a vacation from my vacation, but more than anything I need my family.

Oh, that picture of you and your niece piled in the sand is so adorable. Thanks for sharing!

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