The modern vision to the current generation of a "real job" includes (but is not limited to) unlimited snacks, beer, vacation and a work from "wherever you want" mantra. Let's face it, sounds pretty good, right? I mean, you can "live off" granola bars and beer and save a bunch of money! You can "vacation" while you work. With the current generation of smart phones, who needs a laptop? Just take that baby beachside and make the magic happen!
Done be fooled...or...a fool. The modern workplace has made many advances and don't get me wrong, some of the benefits are valid and add value. When CTDad was at MSFT, they would deliver your dry cleaning to your desk, provide meals for your family, onsite daycare and more. Fortunately, he had me. I took care of that stuff. The more valuable benefit was the healthcare. No premium, no co-pay. It was incredible...until it was gone.
Smaller companies struggle to pay for healthcare, so they try to make up for it with trail mix and "keep your phone on" vacations. Honestly, I can't blame them. But a word to the wise: take a vacation. For years we have combined travel with work to help cover costs and keep CTDad from being overwhelmed with his inbox upon his return. For the most part, it works well now that the kids are grown. This week was different...and it felt great! For the first time in ages, the email was turned off and we quasi-unplugged for a week. It took a day to realize it was really happening, but once we settled in at our little beach-house, we walked and rode bikes everywhere. It was refreshing to our marriage and our souls. Instead of stressing about a to-do list at home, checking work emails, and returning calls, we just took time to breathe.
When we shut the door to the cottage this morning, we both took a deep breath and knew that it was time to go back to life, emails, contractors, news...but we feel good...
My encouragement for you today...ask about vacation at work...and take it. We have a good friend who recently took a job. His one requirement, 8 weeks of vacation. He is an incredibly smart and talented guy, and guess what...they gave it to him! He didn't care about his salary as much as he cared about time. Don't get trapped in the "they can't do it without me!!" mode...
Relax and enjoy summer!
Coffeetalkmom
P.S. The day we biked to Balboa Peninsula, I took this photo of the huge waves…Minutes before, a gray whale rode a wave onto the beach and the crowd scared it back into the water. This rider said he would have been killed by the sheer size of the animal if it had been seconds prior!
