In my hurry to get out of the door with the girls, I left my cell phone(blackberry) behind and off we went. Which for me is tough to do as like many of you I rely on this electronic crutch to run my business. When I got back to the office on Tuesday about 1pm, I had a message from Kevin Newman, you know the anchor of Global National News. He wanted me that day to run down to our local TV station and do a bit on Work/Life Balance as the Canadian Index on Balance and Wellness had just been released. But because I was forced into practicing what I preach, I missed the opportunity. Well, what are you going to do?? So to make it even more ironic, I have just finished my latest book called BOOST and my first section of the book is about just that, turning off technology so we re-connect with what is important to us, that would be people. I have included a short excerpt from my latest book for you to think about.
Technology: Love It and Sometimes Leave It—Disconnect to Re-Engage
Here is the challenge you must take on and it won’t be easy. How’s that for a sales pitch? The truth is, this step will be difficult for most people. So let’s start out with a simple task. Choose a day, and I will suggest a Friday that everyone on your team and goes for an entire day without cell phones, pages, BlackBerrys, iPhones. This is for your team at work, but it could also include your family team. It means no text messaging, TV, video games, computers, radios, CD players, any of it. You must have face-to-face conversations and simply amuse yourselves by being with the people on your team or in your family.
At the end of this day, journal a bit about how the day went for all of you and then set some time to share this experience with one another. Yes, the withdrawal may cause some headaches. Just make a cup and tea and you will be all right.
So there is your challenge this next week. I must say that being without it, is freeing and annoying. But after a while I just forgot. Let me know how it goes for you.
Linda Edgecombe, CSP
Award Winning Speaker and Best Selling Author
1 Comment until now
Hi Linda, a few months ago I went on a cell-detox and have since then been able to let go more. It has become such a “spontaneous” tool of convenience and I found that for myself, one of the big things was my lack of attempt to work something out with out grabbing my phone and calling someone. We women especially, are “want it yesterday” creatures. I have 3 daughters ( in their late 20’s)and they would call me for help on things I knew they could figure out on their own if they took the time. I feel this is such an important process for us to go through mentally, we need to feel those proud of our self moments. I have stopped being so “available” for those moments.
Thanks for that Linda.
Candi
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