I need a vacation, I’ve been on the grid for over 900 days.
I’m going to be spending some time away, which will be the first time in over two and a half years that I’ll be completely offline. I won’t be checking email, my blog, or twitter, so you’ll have to catch me when I get back in a few days.
The last 6 months as an analyst have been very busy, I hit my goals in the role, published research, helped clients, and supported the company move it’s own social media efforts forward –all while maintaining this blog.
But not everything went smoothly, I’ve made a few mistakes on the way that I wish I could have fixed, but I’ll file those away as some hard lessons. A rough customer presentation, a few internal speedbumps, trying hard to learn how to write reports in the Forrester style (it’s like learning a new language) and learning new research and analytical skills. I’ve given up a lot of sleep, frankly, I worked hard, so I need to recharge.
So, I’m delivering a presentation to executives of B2B tech companies from around the world today in Oahu, then I’ll be taking some time off and will return fully charged.
In the meantime, while I take some time off, I encourage you to follow the following people: Colleagues Josh Bernoff and Charlene Li on the Groundwell blog, Peter Kim, Shel Israel who’s cataloging how social media impacts culture, and listen to Jennifer Jones’ Marketing Voices on your walk/jog/workout. Each of these folks are respected peers, and have become great personal friends.
If you want to peruse my archives, some of my most popular posts are here, or you can leave me feedback about this blog in this survey I’m running.
But don’t just take my recommendations, if you know someone that’s doing great work in the internet strategy, web marketing, or social media space, leave a comment suggesting them below.
I really enjoy this industry, the collaboration of the community, and meeting so many interesting people, thank you all being part of this online experience.
Aloha!
Digital overload seems to be taking its toll lately. You’re going offline (good idea). Scoble is suggesting that we “turn off the Internet” and Hugh McLeod completely deleted his Twitter account.
Too much of a good thing isn’t always a good thing. Enjoy your vacation Jeremiah. We’ll keep a light on for you.
Get some rest Jeremiah! You do a great job and you deserve those vacations! Enjoy!!
Enjoy your rest 😉
Jean-Marie
Congratulations on your excellent decision to take some time for yourself. Enjoy! 🙂
J.O., I am SOOOO happy to hear you’re human. I can’t tell how many times I’ve been annoyed at you when I get up at 6:00 AM to blog and find I’m the umpteenth commenter on a post you put up at 3AM. I once wondered if you ever slept, but then you answered the question in a tweet, so now I know, and I still hate you even though I love you.
Have a great vacation!
From your friend Max, who after 54 years still can’t accept that he needs a good 9 hours a night.
Max
Funny. Oh dear, am I ever so human. I make quite a few mistakes, quite a few.
Get some rest friend.
Jeremiah (who is about to start the “reformatting” process)
Yep, “digital fatigue” is very familiar to me.
I eventually went through a phase selling my technology, removing all my websites, giving away my best ideas/IP and totally disconnecting.
I’ve now swung back to the almost middle ground (including 5 computers, 2 mobiles, and a fibre optic cable into my head) although still refuse to have a television in the house (for obvious reasons).
I think its often hardest on our loved ones. Most of us have an insatiable appetite for knowledge, and also a urgent sense that if we don’t know “it” (insert area of interest), we’ll lose the edge because someone else worked harder.
Once upon a time a geek like me could read a set of encyclopedias front to back and feel a sense of competence. I haven’t yet been able to completely read “The Internet”… people just keep adding stuff.
I think we are going to see a lot of digital/life adjustments in the next five years.
The other thing that is interesting to me, is that we feel a sense of obligation to explain why we are not going to be as ‘active’ on our blog, facebook, bebo, myspace et al. Of course its polite, and perhaps it quells rumours or wonderings, but actually it is your right to do whatever you like, when you like, with your site, without your site… without explanation. Maybe Maslov’s ‘belonging’ needs are far too satisfied by our social media centric lives. We can feel like we belong to our virtual community, instead of belonging to ourselves and our friends and family.
Be free my friend, real living awaits in the coming hours. Be warned, it does take about three days for your brain to realise that you’re not connected.
Aloha and Amen! Thrilled to hear that you’re taking a break.
Next time you’re going to take a vacation, though, Jeremiah, how about some advance warning? I think all of us Social Media zealots could use some time off: we might as well all do it at once.
(“And lo’, the Twittersphere went dark!”)
Have a great time.
Good for your Jeremiah, enjoy your break!
That’s great Jeremiah. It’s not often you hear about folks who work in this industry completely “unplugging”. I agree with the others, you’ve done GREAT work and I hope you recharge and rest well on your break! Have fun! Read ya later when you get back!
Enjoy the much deserved break. In a way, it will be a small vacation for all of us without your daily blog posts to digest and utilize.
Have an awesome time.
Now that’s what I call paying yourself 😉
Enjoy, Jeremiah!
Welcome to Hawaii! Looking forward to meeting you tonight! 🙂
Congratulations on your vacation! Hawaii is a great place to relax & enjoy the scenery.
I have tickets for London/Paris in May – and it will be great to unplug.
Jeremiah, Have an awesome time and thanks for the kudos. I hope you catch some waves!
Have a great time Jeremiah.
The IT industry is overloading right now. Take your time and reflect on your work.
You have earned your vacation!
Jeremiah, take a break! You deserve it .. I just got back from Florida – I haven’t taken a break in a long either. Airing out the brain is a good thing.
You earned it!! Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to know when to say when.
Have a wonderful time off! It sounds well deserved! *=)
Enjoy your long-overdue vacation, Jeremiah! Thanks for all the great posts, and see you when you get back! 🙂
Buon viaggio! Enjoy the rest, some love and a few fruity drinks on the beach on me!! From the first day I met you — a few years ago, already — you’ve been a prophet of genuine trust and encouragement. Grazie mille!
Jeremiah,
I am so digitally fatigued! It’s hard to say that when this is my field but after 2+ amazing years with my company I will be leaving for the unknown. I am looking forward to getting back to my roots. But like I said am really fatigued myself so taking a breather and refining my presence before I get into full swing. I am looking forward to bringing my skills to whatever medium I encounter whether it be personal or professional.
I’ve often wondered what kind of personal life you have when giving so much of your time to help others. I hope you find your chi while you are in Hawaii. We all need a reset once in a blue moon.
Adam
Jeremiah,
Enjoy your break — you deserve it. I took a week off myself last month, from my blog and my Twitter account and non-work-related email, and the sudden and brief disengagement taught me a lot about why I give so much of my time and my effort to the online world in the first place. It was a very worthwhile exercise.
I came back refreshed and rejuvenated, and I wish the same for you.
Beth
You sound as if you are leaving humanity. Don’t worry we’ll all be here when you come back. Hey wait what if the internet dies when you go on vacation and you’ll never be able to use it ever again!! On that note….enjoy your vacation!!
Good on ya Jeremiah! Enjoy!!!
J,
what a great opportunity to come up with social networking use cases relating to people on vacation. Be alert to the informal social contexts such as:
bartender with umbrella drink and vacationing couple from New Jersey. These ad hoc social moments represent 17% of our lives, untapped moments that can be monitized no doubt….or not.
Tell the natives that there is a firm called Mahalo that demands 14 hour days, then sip the drink.
It’s only been a week now but I’m now officially experiencing Jeremiah withdrawal symptoms. Anyone else?
Hello Jeremiah, nice you are relaxing. When is your book coming out? 70MPH could be the title documenting your analyst transition. I suggested it to your Forrester colleagues a few weeks back.
Thanks Doug, interesting.
Get some rest Jeremiah! You do a great job and you deserve those vacations! Enjoy!!
wow 900 days
good work with your counting,
2 years doesn't sound too bad compared to mine LOL
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