Adam R. Kahn serves as Group Event Director, Project Summit & BusinessAnalystWorld, as well as Publisher of BA Times for Diversified Business Communications (DBC). A graduate of Northeastern University (M.S., 1996) and Hofstra University (B.A., 1993) Mr. Kahn joined DBC in 2006. Over his career he has spent the past 11 years working in event, conference and publishing management capacities at IIR, IMARK Communications and Key3Media (formerly ZD Events) managing a variety of industry specific brands/products including: ProjectWorld, Symposium on Healthcare Design, Projects@Work, Linux Business Expo, ASP Summit, COMDEX, Networld+Interop. Prior to his event and conference experience, Mr. Kahn worked in Student Affairs managing student activities, residential life, judicial affairs, and career services at several New England based Universities and Colleges. 
I just got back from vacation and prior to leaving I had momentarily thought about completely shutting down. You know, not checking email, not answering the mobile phone, not logging on to my virtual workplace. Regretfully, I was not able to do that. I did however, post my out of office message and change my voicemail message. During my vacation, I really only responded to urgent emails and phone calls.
My point you ask? It's quite simple really - can we ever truly escape from our professional lives? It wasn't that long ago that, when you left the office, you really "left the office" - both physically and mentally. Don't get me wrong, I love technology and the productivity that comes with it. However, it's a constant struggle to separate my job from my life. To be honest; I started writing this blog at 5:45am because I could. Technology allows me to take advantage of situations like this. But the same rings true when I'm out to dinner with my wife and my blackberry is buzzing like mad, baiting me to check messages and respond accordingly.
In this global economy, someone is always at work, but for once I'd like to go old school (circa 1986) and truly untether myself from work once I'm done for the day. This weekend I'm headed up to a remote location for a family reunion, where there is no internet, cable TV or mobile phone access. I'm still amazed that a place like this can still exist. My sister-in-law (it's her family's place) tells me I can head down to the library and check email. My response - are you kidding me? Let me experience this weekend and I'm sure I'll be crying for all my technology access points. I know it's hypocritical, but I guess the grass is always greener? Is there a way to co-exist and still feel you've got some separation? I would love to hear your ideas and coping mechanisms?
All the best,
Adam R. Kahn
Publisher, BA Times
written by Biga, July 16, 2008
I would say that if your communication/documentation is good enough that you can leave for a day or week and someone else can fill in for you then you are doing are an all-star in the BA world.
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written by Marcos Ferrer, July 16, 2008
It was back in May, for one week, in Florida. It was strange, almost nostalgic, and worth the pileup when I got back, just to have had the experience.
I will try to do this once a year from now on, with plenty of pre-documentation and warning to my team, as suggested above.
Can two weeks be possible? Yes, if you go on a cruise, without your cell phone or log on ids.
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written by Adam Kahn, July 16, 2008
The true point of my blog was to pose the question. We are really making an effort to increase the interaction of subscribers and I hope my thoughts are at least getting people discussing.
Thanks so much for reading and offering your feedback! Its extremely worthwhile to me and hopefully other subscribers as well.
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written by David M. Wilhelms, July 24, 2008
While I sympathize with the urge (pun intended)to always have that one absolutely reliable backup:
1. At some point, you have to have confidence that you've done all you could.
2. We are all ultimately replaceable.
Why should it be amazing there are still areas that are "technology-free zones?" They're more numerous than you think. Like most of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, northern Minnesota, sections of northern Wisconsin.
For me, I choose vacations where the only technology that I can even consider using is a GPS.
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written by Roland Hesz, July 27, 2008
When I am on a vacation, I don't go online 90% of my time, and then only to upload the photos I made. If the office can't cope with me being gone for a week or two, then there are some awfully big problems.
When you give everything to your profession you will realize you have nothing more to give and that's it.
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When I go out for a short time or for a dinner with my family, Generally I do not carry my mobile phone. I think in this busy life we can afford to be away from our mobile phone for 2-3 hrs.
Though I put the out of office message, I keep checking my emails and reply to important mails.
I make sure I check my mails only once in day.
The other option could be to have your nackup ready in your office when you are away
I am unaware of your job profile but hope that these basic ideas may help you