Does anyone do "working vacations"?

  This is Work 
  Originally uploaded by waepoint.

When I first started falling in love with the idea of working virtually, I had this romantic idea of myself travelling all over the world, spending  a couple months at the beach, a couple months in the mountains, then just living in places that I had always wanted to experience but didn't want to stay long term.

The phrase that was going through my mind was "Have laptop, will travel", but now I'm a couple years into working virtually, and I'm noticing that I only work from the cafe if it's an absolute emergency, and other than that the most "exotic" location that I've taken my laptop is my own back yard.

I know--What a free-spirited jet-setter I am! (not )

I don't know why I hesitate to take work on the road--I guess I'm just super-conscientious about getting work done consistently every day, and I'm afraid to rent a cottage on the beach for a month because what if the internet connection isn't reliable, or what if something happens to my laptop in transit (dropping, sand, water, natural disasters).

I guess it's just a comfort zone thing, but I was wondering, do any of you web workers actually take advantage of the "virtual-ness" of your work by working in various locales, or do you find yourself mostly just working from home?

Comments

[Jason Van Orden]

That is an interesting question. I have definitely let work creep into vacations before, but that's not what you are talking about.

However, I can see value in a "work vacation" if you're in need of a breath a fresh air. Perhaps you need a change up for your thinking for a new project or major transition in your business. And it doesn't need to be on a grand vacation scale.

I have spots where I go when I get cabin fever. Like you I have my cafe. I don't have a back yard since I live in NYC. But even going on the roof of my building gets me outside to think. I find these escapes to be very effective and refreshing when I need a jump start in energy or a boost to my creativity. I'd even say this is critical for entrepreneurs/solopreneurs/freelancers.

Another thing I so is get together with a co-working group. It's a group of other entrepreneurs and freelancers. We have wifi and everyone enjoys the energy of being around other people who are diligently working away (all on laptops). You can also bounce ideas off people.

A friend and I occasionally spend a day hopping from wifi cafe to wifi cafe in Manhattan.

I guess the point I am trying to make is that even these small changes in scenery can provide a nice boost for your psyche. I wouldn't call them "work vacations', but perhaps "work getaways."

Even when my mind resists getting away, I almost never regret taking time to get away WITH my work now and again.

[Kim Murray]

Great question, Sharon! I too, was intrigued by the idea of being able to work anywhere from my laptop, but the fact is, I'm just more comfy in my home office environment. Everything I need is at my fingertips (yes, I still have...gasp!... *paper* things to deal with).

As an experiment, I did spend the better part of a recent Friday in a Panera restaurant with my laptop. I was editing a large document and wanted a change of scenery. I love people-watching and I saw a few friends while I was there, but I have to admit the distractions weren't conducive to getting much work done.

I would love to take my laptop into the backyard and work from my hammock, but the visual of me juggling a laptop and trying to get situated in the hammock makes me giggle. :o)

[Sharon Sarmiento]

Hey Jason--thanks so much for chiming in with your excellent observations.

Yes, I think the reason the "working vacation" has the potential to appeal to small biz owners so much is that it's often hard for us to get away, and to combine work with a vacation is a pretty decent compromise.

I love your thoughts on the energizing aspect of working in a different location--yes, now that I think about it, I have found this to be true also. Whenever I work in the cafe, it's a totally different vibe than at home, and it's just a little bit more exciting.

Working around other people is energizing also, especially for those of us who have a tendency to be cooped up in our homes all day!

The co-working thing is a cool idea--now I only need to find other web workers where I lived to do it with!

I guess the lesson is, that if we want to create these collaborative, energizing work atmosphere opportunities, it's something that we have to put a little effort and creativity into, but it's worth it. :-)

[Sharon Sarmiento]

Oh Kim--it sounds like we're two of a kind. :-)

Maybe it's because I'm a homebody that I don't take work to other locations as much as I had imagined I would. I've worked in the cafe also, and there is a bit of an adrenaline rush, and sometimes I find that I'm even more focused than usual (must be the adrenaline!)

I have seen photos of folks working with a laptop on a hammock, and although it presents a romantic site, 1) I would probably drop the laptop and fall on the ground 2) I live in such a warm climate that the laptop gets hot very quickly when I work outside, so I'm reluctant to do it! There are all these logistics to deal with! :-)

I know that when I've worked at the cafe that I liked it, although there are all the logistics to deal with so it's just easier to stay at home.

Part of this is also a comfort zone thing, and maybe it takes trying different work locations to actually get in the groove with it.

[David Krug]

You should be taking more vacations and doing less work. What am talking about I just got up to get a midnight snack and I stumbled onto your blog.

[Sharon Sarmiento]

David, David, David--what kind of snack was this that had you landing at my blog? :-) I can't even imagine!

You, my friend, are the epitome of the "working vacation" dream. It's like your whole life is a working vacation! We should all be so lucky...:-)

[Erin Blaskie]

Hi Sharon!

I truly believe in the working vacation and I do so often!

In the past year and a half, I have traveled to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, NYC, Vancouver, San Antonio, San Francisco, etc. all while working. You do have to take in account for the one day traveling each way but I've never gone without having my internet connection (I always call and double-check with the hotel to ensure it's working properly) or missing out on work.

I think it's all about the laws of attraction - if you think you'll encounter problems, you just might. Instead, go on your working vacation and just know that it will work out :) They are a blast and are a great way to re-focus and re-energize on your work.

Erin Blaskie
http://www.bsetc.ca

[Maryam in Marrakesh]

I am constantly traveling for work - so get my dose of moving around. My problem is that living overseas (and not in Europe) is that there are very few places that are wifi. I have a blackberry and so that helps. But truth be told, when I want to get some serious work done, I go where there is no wifi...

I have the world's most beautiful garden and want to write in it but too much glare on my laptop........

[Sharon Sarmiento]

Hey Maryam--yes, it's the practicalities that get in the way with me lots of times. As far as sitting on the patio by the garden, there is the glare on the screen and also I live live in a hot climate, so the laptop gets hot quickly, and that worries me.

It's cool that you can get your work done without being on the internet--fewer distractions makes it so much easier!