What a Difference a Break Makes
As some of you knew, I am on vacation right now. Finding internet connectivity in this part of France has proven tough, but I have managed to locate a shaded, quiet corner with reasonable coffee and a free WIFI connection 
I should have brought business cards, it’s amazing the conversations you can strike up just by displaying the Apple symbol around an internet hotspot! (If you want free blogging advice, this is the time to catch me, but you will have to do it in person, heh)
Unfortunately I didn’t get chance to complete my survey results before I left so they will have to wait while I get back.
Being an internet addict this lack of connectivity drives me mad, but there is a positive aspect (in addition to managing my habit and spending more quality time with the family), it gets my brain working in all sorts of different ways.
Perhaps it is the 40c weather or the relaxation but my imagination has been working over time. I guess it could be also giving myself something other than work to think about too. While I have been here I have already read a lot (non-business books too!), explored the place, it is all idea fuel. I’ve been inspired and re-energized for the challenges that face me when we get back.
Walking around I have ideas for articles, such as “Why blogging is like running a restaurant”, “Why blogging is like running a fun fair”. I will probably not use them but it proves this time away has allowed my grey cells to unclench.
Although it is unlikely I will get to the hardcore traveling that Lorelle gets up to, I am enjoying my small taste. I really do recommend switching off for a few days, even if you can’t get away very far.
Now the question is, should I have just left the laptop at home?
Posted on June 30th, 2008 by Chris Garrett in Blogging
Hi Chris and enjoy what’s left of your vacation. But yes, you should have left your laptop at home.
I understand the need to stay connected and keep your fans up to date with your thinking - we’re not on vacation after all. But even a short break would have helped us all realise what we’re missing.
I could understand it if *I* had posted from vacation - my fear is that my fans would desert me. But you shouldn’t have that fear. Maybe if you didn’t blog for a month, well maybe a few would drift away. Maybe. (But I doubt it. You give us tremendous value.)
But if you HAD left the laptop at home (or if you had not posted) you would have given us a powerful life message - “do as I do, not just do as I say”.
Then it would make what you say even more powerful. “Live the brand,” as you once said.
Just my two cents.
Have a great holiday!
Steven Sonsino
DeathofLeadership.com
Yes, you should have left the laptop at home. This would be a fine and noble thing to do; which, needless to say, I have never succeeded in doing.
You should have left the laptop & mobile phone at home…
Bonjour Garrett!
I’m sure your Net addiction could be healed in France.
While traveling I personally found it much harder to get Internet access in Florida/USA as opposed to many places in Europe.
Happy vacation
John
P.S.: Thanks for the Survey results
P.P.S.: Of course there are many, many non-english language Blogs as well, but I think it might be true on a global level that English language Blogs and the USA are dominating the ‘game’.
Chris,
Yes, *maybe* you could have left it at home. The anxiety of not knowing what was going on at all probably would have been too distracting, though. I went on vacation last week and just the six-hour drives back and forth was more than I ever take off during a normal workday! I checked in a couple of times a day and I was fine. Business did not blow up without me. Quite the discovery.
Enjoy your down time.
Regards,
Kelly
Yes! Er, no. Hmm. Mayyybee …
Enjoy your break, Chris. You deserve it.
Sometimes you have to break away from the day to day to get a clear picture of where you are and where you’re going.
I love the word picture you paint with the term “allowed my grey cells to unclench”. I can feel my grey matter “un-clenching” as I visualize it!
Chris,
When I saw your post this morning i thought, “OH, yes, I haven’t heard from Chris for a while, can’t wait to see what’s been up and yes! Good. I hope he’s loving life.” Which made me realize how much I look forward to your posts. They are insightful and enjoyable and your wonderful caring personality comes through.
I so much enjoy your blogging…you are truly a writer because I too have experiences and always “title” them. I would LOVE to be there in person, just enjoying France.
No don’t leave your laptop at home, but DO enjoy the freedom from the video world and please post some photos! What I find so fun and fascinating is that I can sit here in Pittsburgh, Pa and be so happy for someone I consider a ‘friend’, enjoying life with family in France.
Enjoy!
Fawn
Hi Chris! Hope you’re enjoying your vacation! Again with the no business cards? Maybe you just need cards that are more fun. Try the fun mini cards at Moo.com, maybe you’ll like those better.
Elaine
I’d leave it at home, if I were you. I regularly take Sat and Sun off every two weeks. And I jot down notes with my cellphone’s sms feature, or with a pen and paper.
The latter is quite atypical for me because I’ve been mostly paperless for three years.
My favorite notetaking program is OneNote.
Looking forward for the next survey result (and your new restaurant and fun fair articles too), Chris!
At one time I made it a practice not to turn on the computer on Sunday. Not because I am religious. It was just a good pick. I found out that the Monday afterwards produced some of my best posts. I think a break gives your brain a time to unwind and take a step back. The results after your break may be better than if you work during it. Hey, give it a try and shut the thing off for a while.
Hi Chris
I a somewhat jealous of your 40C as here in NZ it is currently 11C. However, I do think that you are OK in taking your laptop as it enables you to discharge or record your thoughts and ideas digitally for future blogging activities. It sounds as though you have found a balance between the laptop and family that should keep everyone happy. Keep enjoying the French landscape and food.
Best regards
Tom
Chris, that holiday will be over before you know it, stop looking for hot spots and get out in the sun - the biggest hotspot there is.
If I go on a trip with my family my laptop stays at home. If I go alone I bring it along.
Wow, the idea of blogging as a restaurant is great! Happy holidays and I hope you will bring new and impressive things from there.
This is one of my top reasons why I like blogging, “You can blog from everywhere in the world as long as you have the tools!”
I just got back from a vacation in Mexico with VERY limited internet… I set a new record and went a whopping 5 days without getting on the web at all. This is the longest amount of time I’ve been off the grid in years. It may be an all time record. Although this created a bit of anxiety, I have found the experience to be very rewarding. I feel as if I have a fresh clean slate and can see things in a brand new light.
I use to make myself take one day off a week from the web/computer… I’m starting to think this may be a good habit to pick up again.
Hi Chris!
I have to confess the internet connection is one of the main criteria I use when I pick a hotel for my vacation. I always have my laptop with me, although I spend less time in front of it during my time off.
This year I plan to stay away for 3 weeks, so not even in my wildest dreams I wouldn’t be able to be far from the online world for that long
Besides, I will be surrounded by sea, mountains and ruins to visit, so I think my imagination will be at its peak.
Enjoy what’s left of your vacation!
Alina
I guess it depends on why you take a vacation in the first place. If you needed more blogging ideas, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to walk about with a camera and constantly thinking about blog titles and content.
But if you needed some tie off work, probably it would be better to just leave the computer at home?
Just what I’m thinking
Chris,
Forget the laptop. You have a CAMERA! I hope you’re going to show us some pictures.
Please?
Ellen
Taking breaks reboots, refreshes, and renews the brain and body — hope your vacation is doing all that and more.
Take the laptop, but have so much fun you don’t want to power it up!