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There’s No Shame in Working on Vacation
If it’s a choice, a little work can be a joy
Dear Laura: I keep reading about the importance of disconnecting from the office and taking time off. But the honest truth is that I like to do at least a little work while I’m on vacation. Is this such a bad thing?
Signed, Happy at Work
Dear Happy at Work:
I began writing a response to your question during a week at the beach so, short answer: No, there’s nothing wrong with doing some work while you’re on vacation.
Personally, I’m with you on this one. And I’d even make a broader point: While people often complain that the lines between working and not-working are becoming blurred, there are ways that shift can actually promote work/life balance.
First, the necessary caveats: A lot of productivity literature extols the virtue of completely disconnecting, and there are times when this is appropriate. Anyone feeling close to burnout — which is a pervasive problem — should disconnect from work in order to regain some mental space.
If you’ve never tried disconnecting for a few days, you might also give it a whirl, just to see what it’s like, and to make sure your identity isn’t totally wrapped up in work. Some small business owners feel like they can’t…
