Just had my first meeting with Bandit in what seems like weeks and wow!, what a difference a good vacation makes! I've never seen Bandit (a chartered member of workaholics anonymous) so fricken relaxed. Wired on coffee I just rabbited on like a fool, and he quietly let me carry on while he processed.
He rarely takes any breaks, and I don't know of any (complete->no work) vacations that he has ever taken. But the value of down time with the family is SO important, important in a Christopher Alexander kind of way. Without it, one becomes disconnected from the love and values that make us who we are and drive us to do the work we do.
In Europe, of course, they get this. Five to six week vacations are the norms, and when you add up Bank Holidays, Easter, Christmas, etc, there are usually about 11 weeks/year when most people can spend with their families/friends, etc.
Which leads to a brief consideration of the inherent balancing of work and life that seems to permeate coworking spaces...In many of these settings (Indy Hall, Office Nomads, PariSoMa), energetic creatives spend time working with friends everyday, so the work-life separation the most people accept (how sad!) every year is simply not a part of life.
tags: balance, friends, family, love...and work-
The Butcher
Nice to have you back Bandit! I noticed you dutifully Brightkite'd all the way to Orlando. Midstream in your vacation all that stopped. I smiled because I knew that relaxation had taken hold and that social networking had taken a backseat to your family, so Kudo's to you!
I quit my 9 - 5 job this past Friday, and took possession of the property I am leasing for my coworking space this past Monday. Since then I have been non-stop and really can't think of when my next vacation will be. I am glad you got to take one but know that you were missed.
Butcher, you are spot on with your assessment; family is paramount and your reminder serves us well to remember to keep our priorities in order. Thank you.
Lisa
Thanks Lisa-
Priorities are important!
Don't you love Bandit's new car?
Good luck with the coworking space!!! Keep us posted here, we would love to share your journey with the community.