Ketchikan AlaskaIs it really a vacation if one keeps checking email, text and voice mail?

Just last week, i managed to get away and go on Celebrity Cruise to Alaska. The vacation gods must have been smiling on us because our trip was almost perfect --- sunny, clear and almost warm in our ports of call in Kechikan,Juneau, Skagway in Alaska, and Victoria Island in British Columbia.

The crew and locals kept talking about the usual "horizontal" rain that was not there when we arrived (but came back after we left). Hard to explain why we looked sunburned after the cruise.  It was sunny!




When does our vacation start ?Juneau Alaska

I said “almost” perfect because I didn’t or wouldn’t exactly turn off my iphone (roaming service or not), and I didn’t walk by the internet room without stopping.

In a way, I was glad the internet and phone networks were very poor where we went because it forced me to put down that phone! Hey, at least all I brought was my phone.

I saw  bunch of people running around with their ipads and computers. I also saw where many of them used their iPad instead of cameras to take pictures and videos. I used my iphone to take both :)  And if you don’t know how, “there’s an app for that” or at least there’s a how-to video.

 

Why realtors go on vacationSkagway White Pass and Yukon Trail


In my defense....it was a critical time to go on vacation. I was closing escrow on one listing, accepting offers on another, posting a new listing, and arranging for property viewings for my buyers. Thank goodness that I have a couple of agents I could rely on to help me.

As we realtors always say, if we want more business, plan a vacation!

 
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14 Comments on Is it really a vacation if one keeps checking email/text/voice mail?

AUG
27
2 Featured Posts

A vacation is any radical change in your environment. So yes you had a lovely vacation it sounds. I think it's the nature of the beast/business as they say, that we have a hard time breaking away. I know I would not be able to relax if I was worried about my clients.
7:06pm • #1
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Monique

Glad that you put in that perspective --- can't relax if we're worried about our clients. Indeed!
7:12pm • #2
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Mel isn't away from his laptop for more than a few hours when on vacation and away from the phone pretty much never! He's a born workaholic. I try to limit checking in to once or twice a day. On my last vacation I found myself without internet access where I was staying for a couple days. True, I could have gone to a hotspot, but I took the opportunity to truly be "off". It was strange.

Gretchen
7:19pm • #3
584,963 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
This is exactly why Debbie and I head to the high mountains to wilderness camp. NO way we can be found or communicate with the outside world. Plotting a camping trip now:)
7:22pm • #4
181,268 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Yep, go on vacation and business picks up.  Why is it?  Hope your time away was fun.
7:48pm • #5
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Gretchen --- it was nerve-wracking not to have any kind of internet or phone access for more than 24 hours. It was stressful thinking I am out of touch.

John --- guess that's why I'm never going camping :)

Michael -- the vacation was wonderful. Our only complaint? Poor phone/internet access :)
7:57pm • #6
707,633 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Pacita, plan a vacation is a euphemism for generating additional business. Diane keeps telling me "more vacations please":))
10:17pm • #7
140,065 Points Outside Blog

In our line of work, it almost impossible to turn it all off, even for a couple of days....everyone wants or needs you one day or another.  Our work can give us some freedom than a normal 9-5 job, but it can also tie us down so greatly.  You really have to like the business of real estate to stay in this business :-)
10:35pm • #8
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Endre ---- I am likely to take vacations more often, now. NOT!

April --- you're absolutely right. We can't be gone for too long because invariably something happens that requires our attention. If we don't love our business, we shouldn't be in it :)
11:02pm • #9
AUG
28
1,066,994 Points 68 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good for you....glad you got away....and if you had not had "some connection" the guilt would ruin the vacation...been there, done that !
4:33am • #10
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Sally and David --- I would have had an even more enjoyable time if I felt secure in the feeling that I was accessible, and can access the internet when I needed to :)
9:14am • #11
AUG
30
333,227 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

It looks like you had a great vacation Pacita even if you did check your email on the ship.  At least you were in a different part of the world and enjoying it. 
6:54pm • #12
SEP
03
617,175 Points 60 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jim -- i really needed to go on vacation. But felt that I may have enjoyed myself even more had I been assured I wasn't completely cut off from the rest of MY world. :)
5:18pm • #13
FEB
20
267,808 Points
Getting ready for vacation within the next few weeks and I plan to put a message on my phone saying I am out of town and if they need assistance I have an agent in my office that is covering for me. Hopefully, I don't have withdrawal symptoms too bad. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
3:14am • #14

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Pacita Dimacali - ePRO, SRES, CDPE, MBA Alain Pinel in Alameda County CA

Oakland, CA

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