Vacations - Who takes them?

[Mike(VA)]

Who takes a vacation and how many do you take a year? I consider a vacation when you take three consecutive work days off on either side of a weekend. Don't necessarily have to go anywhere, just be away from work related stuff.

If you don't take a vacation, why not and are to ever going to change that?

For me, I try to do two a year. One longer one maybe 10 days or more and go somewhere far way. Also try to do a shorter one, maybe 5 or 6 days over a weekend and stay a bit closer to home.

[GoogleGirl]

I'm heading to the beach at the end of the month. But I will be working daily and seeing prospective clients as well. I used to go to places without internet/phones to force myself to 'chill'.

I do go away occasionally for a 'mystery weekend' where my entire goal is to not speak to another person for the entire weekend other than checking into the hotel. I need some deompression time.

[Century Man]

The ideal vacation is when it's all about me. I do what I want, when I want. Don't have to negotiate dinner plans, entertainment, accomodate other people. I know that sounds selfish but I did say the ideal vacation. I'm still waiting for that vacation.

[R & J]

Haven't taken a vacation in over 15yrs. The wife and I talk about it, then reality returns.

[Blue]

2-3 per year. 2-5 days in length.

[Carport King]

But I leave the heat and will go to Smokey Mountains in a couple weeks for the Hot Rod Show.

All of my hot rod and Harley buddies get together and we spend 10 days having a blast.

[Decoman]

Just got back from one last week... One family vacation with wife and kids... The my wife and I head to MI 3-4 times a yr for long weekend w/o kids. IN the the winter I take one "beer" trip where I pick a destination and search out all the breweries and brewpubs and drink! (I am active in the online beer community doing reviews for websites and blogs)

I look at my times away as something to look forward to. Gets me thru the weeks sometime :)

[KitchenSync]

What's a vacation?

[buildpinnacle]

I have season tickets for Sooner football, so I get 5 or 6 mini two day vacations during the gridiron season plus the big 12 game and the national championship if we go that far. Traveled to Florida for the big game in Jan of this year for 8 days and spent 1/2 in Lauderdale and 1/2 in Key West. First time to the nice beaches. I got hooked. I have already told the men that the company from here on out will officially close down December 15, and open up after the first week of January. My super will have paid time. The other men need to factor it in with overtime in the other months or pick up side work with our peers in the biz while I'm gone. I also plan to get away for a summer trip not so elaborate every year. For those of you who don't do this. It will mean the difference in your attitude, motiviation, and sanity. Not to mention the quality time and memories you create with your family that you will regret years later if you don't have them.

Don't be a slave to your business. If you can't take a vacation and get away from your business then your business is running you!

[Blue]

OMG, You live in an area that is not very welcoming to your team. The good news is that this decade has been good for you so they can't give you too much sheet.

You might want to follow Blake Bell here in Wichita. He was the number one rated QB nationaly as a junior in Highschool. His father is Mark Bell formerly of the Seahawks and his uncle is Mike Bell formerly of the Chiefs and an overall #1 pick in the draft. They were the first twins to play in NFL.

Blake has commited to Oklahoma University.

[Bender]

my entire goal is to not speak to another person for the entire weekend other than checking into the hotel.
Thats a great idea! Now, if I can talk my wife into it...

[Silvertree]

Not officially, but many 3 and 4 and 5 day go fishing, sailing ect.

[JasonW]

I haven't taken one in over 4 years now. We got away for a week and went to Maine when I was a PM for another company. The last year with them, I knew the boat was going down and didn't know how soon. We saved our money to be sure the kids had a good Christmas. The first two years in business, we were broke and couldn't afford to pay the bills let alone spend money we didn't have on a trip somewhere. The last year and a half things have picked up but I can't seem to get things far enough ahead where I feel comfortable turning my back on things for a week. The job is also out of state and that takes some extra doing to keep an eye on.

We should be wrapped up Thanksgiving. I plan to take it easy over the Holidays and spend some time doing a few fun things with the family. I need a freakin' break from all this!

Oh wait; my wife and I did manage to get away together for a weekend last fall. Met up with David C and his wife at Lake Bonaparte where I went as a kid. Had fun, but could have stayed longer for sure.

[Bender]

We take short, impromptu vacations (road trips). I hate planning out every detail of a vacation. Takes all the relaxation out of it.

[Decoman]

Don't be a slave to your business. If you can't take a vacation and get away from your business then your business is running you!

Amen... :2thumbsup:

[naptownCr]

Just came back from Maine. We were up there for two weeks just west of Acadia and about 30 mises east of Framerman. Weather was actually great. Heard from the locals this has been the wettest most depressing summer up there in a long time. One mistake was brng the blackberry it was a royal PITA

[fez-head]

Shelly and I take 2-3 discounted "working" vacations a year for our agency called "familiarization trips" that are given by (and mostly paid for) by the tour companies ...... i'ts a pretty sweet gig :2thumbsup:

[buildpinnacle]

OMG, You live in an area that is not very welcoming to your team. The good news is that this decade has been good for you so they can't give you too much sheet.

You might want to follow Blake Bell here in Wichita. He was the number one rated QB nationaly as a junior in Highschool. His father is Mark Bell formerly of the Seahawks and his uncle is Mike Bell formerly of the Chiefs and an overall #1 pick in the draft. They were the first twins to play in NFL.

Blake has commited to Oklahoma University.

Funny thing about living in Texas and being an OU fan....I proudly display it on my vehicles and bring it up at every chance with potential HO's. Surprisingly, it creates a great ice breaker and gives us something to gig each other about which strenghens our relationship. I have a really good customer that constantly emails and calls me every time he sees OU in the news. He's an Aggie fan, so he is living vicariously through our accomplishments currently.

I was in Newton this past weekend for my sisters wedding. It was actuallyin that town about 8 miles North at the 'arbetrarium' (sp?). Neat place. Just as hot down here, but the freaking wind reminded me why I hated lilving in NW OK all my young life. Thank god for Montana Mikes Steakhouse or I might have gone hungry.

[Winchester]

I went away for the weekend last month. That's the only type of vacation I'd be even willing to take until I've met some of the goals I've set for myself and my business.

[buildpinnacle]

I went away for the weekend last month. That's the only type of vacation I'd be even willing to take until I've met some of the goals I've set for myself and my business.

Nothing wrong with that. We've all been fresh in the biz. I had a guy sit me down when I was mid to late twenties who told me that if I didn't watch it, I'd wake up and five years would be gone, then ten, then twenty and I would still be working on the things I wanted to accomplish originally. I blew him off, sort of, because like most youngsters I was 9 foot tall and all teeth. I am now 34, have gone broke and got it back three times, now because up until now I would rather have tried and failed with my ideas then take advice from people who had been there and done that and save myself time and money. I have had an education in business that money cannot buy, but I wish I had the five years back with the knowledge and mindset I have now about my business, my prices, my profits, and my business structure. Unfortunatley, time wasted is just that. Just don't get so deep in your business that you can't see your business. You know, forest for the trees saying.

[Dusty]

Last month we went on vacation. Visted my family in the Bay City, MI area and then headed to Torch lake to visit the boyfriends family. First vacation I had in years.

I'd rather work. Truely. It's a sickness. I have not worked a 12 hr day since the baby was born and I miss it.

My ideal vacation is to have the family disappear for a month so I can tear things up around the house. Love them, but can't get things done with so many distractions.

[WarnerConstInc.]

Last month we went on vacation. Visted my family in the Bay City, MI area and then headed to Torch lake to visit the boyfriends family. First vacation I had in years.

I'd rather work. Truely. It's a sickness. I have not worked a 12 hr day since the baby was born and I miss it.

My ideal vacation is to have the family disappear for a month so I can tear things up around the house. Love them, but can't get things done with so many distractions.

You're just being a good mom.

Trust me I know what you mean, here is 50 bucks, go away for the day please!!

Bay City is a nice town.

[Dusty]

Grew up on the Saginaw Bay. It was a great place to be kid. I was very lucky.

[WarnerConstInc.]

Toledo must be hell then.

[Dusty]

Can be. Spent my teenage yrs in Pinconning, MI. Farm country. That also sits on the Saginaw Bay. Quiet, beautiful country side. Miss it alot.

[Workaholic]

I usually fit a 5 dayer in once a year.

[tinner666]

Hate vacations. I didn't even like giving employees Xmas day off. Man! Did that start a mini riot each year. Finally just fired all of them.:laugh3:

[CreteCoater]

Just came back from a week in Cape Vincent NY fishing on Lake Ontario. Well, it was almost a vacation, I still had the cell phone and email every day :(

[Century Man]

The wife left on Friday and will be back Wednesday evening. Does that qualify as a vacation?

[Blue]

No thats a hooten-nanie

[JasonW]

The wife left on Friday and will be back Wednesday evening. Does that qualify as a vacation?

I vote "YES":grin: