Jane Brody’s New York Times story Hooked on Our Smartphones featured “The Power of Off,” a new book by Nancy Colier that features a 30
day tech detox plan. A licensed clinical
social worker, Colier is concerned we are so wed to our devices that children,
young adults and older Americans are missing out on grounded activities that
make us whole.
Call it old school or whatever, but selfies and social media
can cause a drain on your intelligence if you don’t take steps to use it wisely
and monitor your intake.
Interestingly, WABC’s Black-ish
took on the topic of society and it’s addiction to the digital realm. Once topics reach Hollywood and the writer’s
room, they’re on track for mass consumption and have definitely reached a
tipping point. Aside: Kudos to Tracee Ellis Ross for winning the
Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy series and weaving her biracial heritage
and alma mater (Brown) into the storyline.
As we know, it’s important to share our stories and
connect. While technology helps
tremendously, we just have to be mindful to maintain a balance. Once things get out of kilter
Otherwise, like anything
else, you can become an addict.
News flash: unless
you’re a surgeon or have an ill child or parent, most of what you’re consuming
or reacting to isn’t life or death. You can respond in due course; set parameters
with business colleagues (responses within 60 minutes, 2 hours, 24 hours, etc.). Most right minded souls respond well to
realistic boundaries. Most people they
simply want a timely answer to their request or question. And, because they’re busy, they’re respectful
of your priorities and are willing (within reason) to wait.
Truth be told, people who can’t steer clear of their devices
truly irk me. Nothing is that important
to be on your device all the time. I
must admit it has an impact on my impression on how they’re able to process
info (or lack thereof). Alas, we all
have bad habits; I’m trying to break some of my “tech addictions” as well.
Colier offers these
tips (source: New York Times, Jan. 9,
2017):
> Start by recognizing how much digital use
is really needed, say for work or navigation or letting family members know
you’re OK and what is merely a habit or responding, posting and
self-distraction.
> Make little changes. Refrain from using your device while eating
or spending time with friends, and add one thing a day that’s done without the
phone.
> Become very conscious of what’s important
to you, what really nourishes you, and devote more time and attention to
it.
Hmm … I may have to adopt a few of these valuable lessons as
I reevaluate my life, plan for Millynneum’s 20th Anniversary and
plan spring CCNY coursework.
Here are LSJ’s tech
tips:
What I’m committed to in the weeks ahead (good news for my
students and colleagues):
> Send less /
shorter emails (avoid overwhelm)
- Let people reach out to me w/ questions
- Avoid providing all the answers
- Allow them room to research and make their own mistakes
- Understand their way is OK
- Opt to assist on their journey
> Avoid responding
to non-urgent sends and make better use of my calendar, setting aside
specific times to respond (anything outside of those time frames can wait,
unless it’s time sensitive).
> Respond within a
24 hour window (remember to take my own advice, I’m a marketing consultant
and professor, not a surgeon – most things aren’t that urgent).
> Reconnect with
family members and friends with personal handwritten notes. That’s right, the kind where you actually
have to write, buy a stamp and post the mail.
Fun fact: cursive and letters are
making a comeback; it’s said that elementary school students in particular
reinforce what they learn when they have to write by hand; digital recall is
different doesn’t allow for optimum comprehension.
> Weekends: offline, unless urgent. Yeah, it’s a habit … we all must check our
devices at some point, because contemporary life and business mandates that we
stay somewhat connected. Or, we’re
perceived as totally being out of the loop.
However, over the holidays I allowed / forced myself to be offline for
swatches of time, which was truly glorious.
> Realize while
I’m committed to be responsive, others’ needs must also fit into my well-planned
priorities for the day, week, month or year.
Take heed of the old adage: an
emergency for you does not constitute a priority for me. Thankfully, the individuals and clients I
align myself with including those in the business of education (including students)
are schedule-oriented and for the most part, extremely timely. Good habits breed good results.
> Schedules and
plans lead to success; technology, used wisely, can aid in this process.
> Schedule
telecons when time for face to face meetings gets challenging. While 1on1s
may be preferred, they can’t always happen.
Opt to be open to 7 am or 8 pm business telecon. This creates new windows of opportunity; the
world is fresh with optimism, energy and possibilities. Important
note: if others aren’t open to that type
of scheduling, you have an idea of whether or not you can work together on
projects or in business; it’s so important to be in sync.
Email + Digital Life protocol
> It’s customary
in business and academia to offer the favor of a reply (at least once in a
while).
> If it hasn’t
bounced back, the recipient GOT IT. Your
digital trail is complete. Duly noted if
the receiver doesn’t touch base. Next
step, email again, text, pick up the phone or here’s a novel idea: approach them face to face.
> Consider the
meaning of digital silence. They’ve
got your message, haven’t responded. As
a mentor once told me, “You have your answer.” Saves a lot of time when you take
this back to basics, brass tacks approach to life.
> Don’t take a
digital dialogue (or lack thereof) personally. The world doesn’t revolve around your digital
life, email or text. The world is real and sometimes messy. Individuals are dealing with multiple priorities,
ill family members or other real world challenges, life goals or transitions
that must be handled in real time.
There are some people you may not hear from for years. That’s okay, because in the scheme of what
their current priorities are … your communiqué is not urgent. They’re doing the best they can to be there
and be supportive of those in their immediate circles. You can’t be of true service and assistance
to a core group of hundreds or thousands of friends (i.e. your digital
life).
This is where social media can be a real plus, because when you’re
ready, you can reconnect with a click, catch up, share a few highlights, extend
congratulations and move forward if the other party is receptive. In this case, technology allows us to have
more human interactions that we ever thought possible.
Reach out when and if you can. Cherish interactions from the past and
present; but always try to save room for new connections. Otherwise you don’t move forward or
grow. Also, remember many people are
insecure, lack people skills (due to our infatuation with tech) and often hide
behind their screens because they aren’t empowered enough to approach things
face to face.
That’s okay; love them anyway. Life is too short to let anyone steal your
joy.
Indeed, I’m committed to a wonderful 2017 where tech supports my projects and works in my favor. Share your digital detox tips with those in
your circles.
