I regretted the moment I picked up my work phone to check my email. My son and I were on a camping trip in Red Rock Canyon for Spring Break and there were a flood of critical messages begging for my attention. After responding to several emails and a couple of stressful phone calls over the next two days, things were finally back under control. However, it was not before incurring the cost of becoming a stressed and pre-occupied Dad while losing quality time with my son.

One of my cardinal vacation rules has always been to leave my work phone at home. However, this vacation was in the middle of a major project launch that I was responsible for–I felt compelled to bring the phone along. My experience reminded me of how pernicious the habit of “just a quick look” can turn a relaxing vacation on its head.

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