blackberry

I’ve been a Blackberry user since time began, or at least since 2000. The Blackberry was, after all, the first of its kind – there was the Palm, but somehow that didn’t make the grade.

I was in LA during the Academy Awards and my boss lent me her BB. There I was, with this strange device in hand (remember how big the interface was then, and that scrolling mechanism?) and I was suddenly set free from my computer. The last time I’d had that sensation was when I converted from sending faxes to clicking out emails, what a relief! So, tripping around at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills during one of the most stressful weeks of the year – because if no one wore our diamonds on the red carpet all @!&%$ was going to break loose – I suddenly had something that could keep me totally connected. It was a revelation.

Fast forward 10 years and I am still using the BB but seriously considering making the move to the iPhone. I continue to love the interface on the BB (though much smaller I can type as fast as ever) but let’s face it, the iPhone appears to have better Internet connections and better everything else. So, this BB girl is about to make the move unless someone can convince her otherwise… Somebody?

Say what you want about this generation, but I'll tell you one thing, they don't know how to truly take a vacation. Or, maybe it's just pr, or maybe a combination of both.

I always get nervous when an employee goes on vacay and can't unplug. Our rule is, leave a travel memo. Others will pick up the baton, go away, unplug! BUT, not a lot of unplugging going on these days. And that's what makes me nervous, because at some point the people, they crack. And look, I don't want them cracking on me...

When an employee tells me they are sleeping with their crackberry it is cause for MAJOR concern. At that point we're months if not weeks away from a meltdown. Sleep with your husband, your teddy bear, your daydreams, not your mechanical device.

But I digress...

Vacation is meant to be a time away, free from thoughts of kith or kin (as a friend recently told me). It's not meant to be work in a pretty setting. So, young people, go, go and relax. I need you back in one mental piece. Lol.    

I’m not sure, actually. I haven’t been on a real one for so long. Even when I was the VP of another firm I just couldn’t break away. I think it’s my fault for a number of reasons—the most important one being that I am addicted to my work on some deep level (and that’s probably not good). Also, there is a lingering sense of guilt when I go away, that somehow I am leaving people in the lurch (I’m not, my top management has things in hand and my absence only gives them an opportunity to stretch).

So, how can I get rid of this sinking feeling when I haven’t checked my blackberry for an hour, or see that I have a missed call from the office? Is this just an inflated sense of self worth? Not sure. But I do know this is something I’m going to need to work out, especially as we grow. Just like anyone else who is expanding a career, we business owners need to recognize when our role is shifting. It’s a bit of a struggle since we’re so used to being “in the mix,” but re-engineering our focus is critical for any kind of growth. So, vacations. Hmmm… Maybe I’ll actually have one, one day.