Good point Gerald. I always forward all calls to my cell phone. In the eyes of the public, you're always there.
Al
From: Gerald Groot
Sent: Saturday, April 04, 2009 9:42 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] First Vacation in 20 years
20 years is a long time to go without any vacation. Burnout takes hold of us at some point. I know, I've been there.
Realistically speaking at the same time realizing that we are self employed too, at 30 years of being in the same business, most companines give at least a month's vacation or more. While some cannot always afford that, for our own peace of mind we need to consistently take some play time away from the house, the city, the phone's ringing etc. I try and take 3-4 weeks but, haven't managed a decent vacation myself now in 2 years and I thought THAT was a long time. This year, it will be 4 weeks off this summer not including the PTG convention.
I found out a long time ago that it is not a real vacation unless I leave town. How many friends or family don't you run into otherwise that ask, what you doing home? "On vacation." Musbenice! Or, "you should be working!" Or, the phone rings off the hook with customers and I feel guilty for not answering or returning their calls and/or emails.
Also, I don't like leaving the message "I am on vacation until such and such" due to the possibility of being robbed by someone that calls homes checking for such things which I have read that robbers will do this. So, when I take one, I get the heck out of dodge usually.
Have fun!
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of wimblees at aol.com
Sent: Saturday, April 04, 2009 12:07 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] First Vacation in 20 years
Terry
For the last 32 years, I have made it a point to take at least 2 weeks off each year, and most years, three weeks. One week of that is at the convention and the rest of the time traveling to and from the convention. In addition, I also take a couple of long weekends and maybe even an extra week sometime during the school year or over the Holidays.
Just as we need to recharge our minds by attending chapter meetings and seminars, we need to take a mental break, to recharge our psyche. You owe it to yourself to take a break. Just schedule it in your calendar. When you get back from the break, you'll feel much better, and ready for the challenges of work.
Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
Piano Tuner/Technician
Mililani, Oahu, HI
808-349-2943
Author of:
The Business of Piano Tuning
available from Potter Press
www.pianotuning.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Farrell <mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 3:35 pm
Subject: [pianotech] First Vacation in 20 years
I am going on my first vacation in 20 years - 5 days visiting Manhattan Island. So, I won't be responding to any emails or phone calls or text messages or gps whatevers or anything else. Why am I thinking of Richard Brekne in Norway who spends two weeks at least twice per year in the far north of that lovely country - I would love to have that kind of time luxury..... What's wrong with us Americans??????
I will be back on April 9th and I will cancel all my appointments so that I can read and respond to all of the 13,798 emails I get in the meantime......
:-)
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano
www.farrellpiano.com
terry at farrellpiano.com
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