Can You Ever Completely Detach from Your Business?

For the first time in 20 years, as a small business entrepreneur, I was sure I was going to go on vacation and completely detach. Or at least that was my goal. With an overly competent staff, there was no reason for me to check in. I fully expected to write this blog and tell you that everything went great. 

What actually happened was fascinating and makes perfect sense since it has been my life’s work and passion to talk about the work/life balance. Taking vacations is a perfect example. Not only do I not need to totally detach, I don’t want to – I really love my job. 

A quick text in the morning and an email in the afternoon is the perfect example of using technology wisely so you can have balance in your life, take a vacation, and make the transition back to work just a little easier when you do return.

Completely detaching can be a bad idea because:

• It takes weeks to catch up
• If  a decision is made that you really don't agree with and now have to live with it
• Personally, I miss everyone and actually enjoy the few minute check in that makes my vacation even better!

To stay in touch without completely sabotaging your vacation time:

• Set a specific time in the morning to connect and then don’t pick up that PDA until the late afternoon to check in about the day
• Have another staff member be an emergency contact and let your clients know
• Keep communications short and to the point

In this blog I am challenging all readers to agree or disagree – how many of you did totally disconnect on a vacation and loved it? How many of you over-connected obsessively? Hopefully the majority of us did find the balance to check in just enough that all goes well.