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Penelope Trunk, who writes the blog Brazen Careerist, says work/life balance is an outmoded ideal. On BusinessWeek's Balance blog last month she wrote that using technology to blend work and life is far more realistic than trying to compartmentalize each.
In many ways, I agree. Despite what I said last month about not taking work on vacations, I wrote this very post from a cabin on the Oregon coast, where I'm currently on -- drumroll! --vacation.
Because I'm a freelancer, I've learned to live with work and life bleeding all over each other. And for this trip, rather than work myself silly pre- and post-cabin so I could completely pull the plug on work for a week, I chose to bring a smidge of work with me, to chip away at here there, between naps and cocktails and walks on the beach. I'm still 100 times more relaxed and well-rested than I was before I left Seattle, and knowing that I won't be coming back to a truckload of extra work is also making me very, very happy.
But it's not just me. I'm here with my beau, who's accompanied me to the Internet cafe 10 minutes down the road a couple times so he could check his work email and make sure things were running smoothly back at the ranch. And a few other patrons at our coastal coffee haunt have told us they've been doing the same.
I'm curious what readers of this blog think: Would you rather completely unplug from work for the duration of your vacation and not worry about the messes and deadlines that may await you upon your return? If so, are you actually capable of doing this? Or do you like to sneak an online peek here and there while out of town? Does doing so make your return to work post-vacation any easier or less stressful?
Freelance writer Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide." E-mail her at ninetothrive@nwjobs.com.
By Dr. Paul Lanthois on July 18, 2008 5:46 AM
I think it is Penelope's concept of work life balance that is outdated, not work life balance itself.
To me work life balance is simply having time for work and for life. They don't have to be mutually exclusive.
If people want time to switch off and not focus about work while on vacation, then that's fine. In fact I have learnt of one entrepreneurs club that has as a prerequisite that members must take one month off every three months. They suggest that by staying refreshed you are able to get so much more done in a shorter period of time.
Like you said, many people may opt to take their laptop and blackberry with them on vacation to help keep on top of their work. They still have time to work and time for a life. Technology has just given us a lot more options of working and having a life.
I don't believe the work and life should be in perfect balance. Your life will end up like a perfectly balanced see-saw...stagnant and not much fun.
By Kerry on July 22, 2008 7:01 PM
If I can get more vacations in my life by taking a little work with me then I am all for that trade!
By Jeanie on July 23, 2008 12:49 AM
I think blending work and personal life has a 1984-esque feel to it. While I enjoy what I do for work, I work to live my life not the other way around; my work by no means defines me.
By not mixing work in my personal life, it enables me a broader view of what's important, what's possible and helps remind me of what I want.
By Kaptain on July 23, 2008 7:53 AM
I may work a lot of hours at times when projects require extra attention, but work doesn't follow me on vacation. No calls, no emails, and hardly any thought.
By Chris Nickerson on July 23, 2008 5:08 PM
I just finished checking my work email and I'm currently on paternity leave.
For me, a little checking in with work goes a long way. Resolving small issues and answering quick questions while away makes it easier to be away longer and it also makes transition easier when I return.
By sailcocktail on July 23, 2008 5:51 PM
I think that dealing with a little work on vacation can reduce stress, instead of worrying what is happening while you're away you know that every thing is fine (or not).For people who need to feel in control, it can be important. But working a deal on vacation? Not for me.
By Michelle on July 23, 2008 10:24 PM
I have blended my work and personal life almost to the point of not having "work hours". I have a black berry that allows me to check and respond to emails 24 hours a day. It makes me feel less guilty about taking off in the middle of the day to take my kid swimming.
By Teresa on July 24, 2008 5:49 PM
Blending work and vacation sends a message to your company & co-workers that you're always available, whether you truly want to be or not. While it comforts some people and confirms their mirage of being indispensable, I think work has already invaded too much of Americans lives. We "work" more hours on average than other nations...probably because people bring it home or on vacation.
By walter on July 24, 2008 8:36 PM
Unfortunately the world's economy is driven by the concept of tomorrow and so the worker is forced to put off till tomorrow the enjoyment of today. Delayed gratification is a conspiracy of capitalism and corporate greed. The lure and fantasy of the retirement string is kept swinging distracting us from what really matters. NOW.
By Jason Kennerly on July 25, 2008 1:25 AM
Agree with Walter 100%! I don't know of any retirees who are living the life they would have wanted when they decided to put off investing in themselves in order to invest all their time into some thankless company.
Apparently that's not good enough for them anymore, and now, they want to use high tech leashes to keep the stress on for every single waking moment.
Workers need to stand up to this treatment; they need to make damn sure to have the same attitude about this abuse as lawyers do: If you have to think about your work during any given hour, it is a BILLABLE HOUR and should be PAID IN FULL ON THE PAYCHECK. After laws are changed to this fair standard, THEN see how eager the boss is to butt into what little free time you do have remaining.
By Larisa on July 25, 2008 6:06 PM
I think employers who allow flexible hours are key to work/life balance, so people like Michelle can take their kids swimming in the middle of the day and make up those hours later (at night at home, or by working an extra half-hour at the office the rest of the week).
For me, my vacations are vacations and my weekends (unless a true work emergency comes up) are mine, and I don't even want to think about work at those times. But I knew too many people at my previous job who felt the only way they could keep up was to spend an hour or two on their laptops at home at night--after working the full eight-hour day at the office. To me, that's crazy that this would be accepted--and expected--by the workplace.
By Jen on July 26, 2008 6:24 PM
When you put in extra long, unpaid hours at work… you are setting up a situation whereby: (1) the higher-ups recognize you as a VERY productive employee and thus need to keep you in the position where you are most productive, and (2) your salary is devalued or eroded… you’re essentially putting yourself on sale.
By Jim on July 26, 2008 7:01 PM
Please count how many interactive hours you have each day besides work; five the most. Each of us is capably of determining the inportance and balance of work and family. The outcome is expected. In general, I separate work hours from my own time,but these days as the employers are more demanding than ever and most of the time we work by "projects". Occational slip back into work while I am at my own time can release stress at work thus benefit my well being to be more engage with my family.
By aikidokaratefan on July 28, 2008 5:02 AM
I make sure I get aerobic exercise at least 5-6 days a week. I schedule it in like it's an appointment. I like martial arts, because there's a great feeling of camaraderie working with partners in martial arts. Any exercise that you like and do consistently will help relieve stress and burnou with, is a good stress reliever.