Technology rules (your life), doesn’t it? I know this because of the volume of responses I got from you from last week’s email about the appropriate (and inappropriate) uses of it.
Denise noted, “I think we’ve become so accessible that we’re no longer really available to the people who need us most. Sad.”
She’s right and the distinction is important. If calls and emails are more important than our kids, friends, and significant others, then who have we become as a people?
Sure, we’re always on – but what what are missing by never being off? And if we are constantly accessible, how can we possibly be fully present to everyone all the time?
Robert succinctly said, “I think a lot of the continuous use that you are seeing is a mixture of self-importance and paranoia.”
Reality-check time. Do you recognize yourself in what Robert said? I do.
Are you thinking that by looking busy all the time – checking your email, constantly texting, or jumping to answer a call even in the middle of an appointment – you look important? I used to fall into that seductive trap.
Or conversely, are you’re doing all the things I listed above, but doing them out of paranoia or fear of losing a client or a sale?
I have to say: STOP THE INSANITY. Technology rules your life – but it doesn’t have to.
There are VERY few businesses that must be accessible 24/7. And there are very few businesses that require a 2-second turn around time all the time.
If you DO have one of those businesses, how effective are you really when you’re trying to answer questions or taking orders while simultaneously trying to pay attention to a speaker, hide your phone under the table, or drive 70 mph hour down the highway?
I mean, really. C’mon now.
Wouldn’t your customers, clients, and contacts be better served by getting your full attention – or that of a well-trained staff member?
And finally, Billy summed it up so well by saying [ranting?], “What a change. I am not against technology. Everyone’s life is better off for it. But, what we have created is a society of self importance. For the initiator, I need an answer right now. For the responder, the world is coming to an end and life as we know it will cease to exist because it surely can’t go on without my input. This has also created a society of insecurity. If I can’t get the answer right now, I am going to look bad, or someone else is going to get the glory. I have to look important. Self serving is the way of the day. Basically, I am more important than you or anything you have to say, especially if my phone is talking to me. I am so important that I do not have to allow you the courtesy of uninterrupted time. I also do not have to consider that I may be putting your life in danger on the road. ”
Amen, brother!
In order for you to stop letting technology overtake your life, steal your sanity, and rob you of your precious downtime where you can really and truly unplug, it’s going to take all of us deciding we’ve had enough.
I had enough years ago. I stopped the crazies in my own life. If I’m with someone, I don’t answer the phone. If I’m driving, I don’t text or try to check email. I keep my calls as brief as possible. And email can wait until I can give it my full attention.
Professionally, I’ve helped bunches of business owners and executives do the same. They have clear boundaries (that they chose) around technology use. They exercise their power of “NO” and use discernment in letting information and noise into their lives.
If YOU are ready to say, “Enough, already!” then today is the day to be part of the change. Today is the day you can decide to join us on the light side by not letting technology rule your life, your business, and your interpersonal interactions.
All you have to do is contact me and say, “Angie, I’m ready” and I’ll reach out to you and handle the rest.
Let’s step away from the overwhelm and return sanity to your worklife.
Deal?
Sincerely,
Angie
P.S. It’s worked for dozens of my clients. Like William, a business owner in Charlotte, NC, who said, “I like to be organized but have a hard time keeping up with everything while also running a growing business. Angie helped me get past some of the mental blocks I had in place which were holding me back. She offered creative ways to handle the flood of incoming information and deal with the backlog of unprocessed email. Her enthusiasm in helping others get organized is contagious. This is vital counsel…”
William McKee, Knowmad