ANCIENT& not so ancient WISDOM
offering a weekly positive perspective

March 24, 2005

"Step into liquid and get lost in the moment. It's the pause between the tension that moves strength to the effort." 

- Jeffrey Hansler (1957- )

This week I've heard more friends state they need a break. I feel the need too.

Two days ago, my INBOX emails vanished. There were some key emails in the 200 that needed to be addressed. Within 48 hours, I had 200 new and just as important emails. With technology, it seems to never end. I find myself disconnecting from technology more and more when I can. I was reading about the popularity of holding company meetings (retreats) on houseboats where cell phones aren't allowed.

The problem isn't technology. The problem is redefining our filters and committing to recuperating time for ourselves. I relate to the A-Type personality that would do more, and work longer because that moved them ahead. The difference is now there are aspects of life that are infinite: email is one of them. Your mailbox is open to a never ending stream of emails. It use to be that I could finish my work for the day... I can't today. I do what I can, what needs to be done, what is most important, and then I do what I need to do for me.

I received an email last week from someone on this distribution list. 'I enjoy your emails, but I'm overloaded with emails, so please take me off your list.' 

I understand exactly how they feel and think what a shame. When I'm busy, I toss the magazines I get every week, and when I have a moment, I read them. I use to feel I had to read them all when I received them. I just changed my perspective. If you enjoy something, adjust your filter to the time available.

I love surfing. I'm older. I surf different. I need time between paddling out and catching the next wave (I can't express to you how much this acknowledgement pains me). If I just take a minute to move from the paddling position to a sitting position, I recover enough to paddle hard into the next wave. This is especially important on those bigger days. I would never think of dumping surfing just because I can't catch every wave like I use to.

Wishing you moments of peace, rejuvenation, and enjoyment.

Sincerely,

P.S. I can shop and bank and communicate 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. Just because I can do it doesn't mean I should do it.

From an article in InformationWeek March 21 2005:

The disconnect between business and technology executives, unhealthy to begin with, is widening, according to a study released Wednesday by the A. T. Kearney management consulting firm.

The results of the disconnect are having widespread negative results in large companies, including a 30 percent drop in technology innovation from 2002, the authors of the study said.

"These findings shatter the notion that IT leads the early adoption of technology and the business side slows down the process," said Mark Livingston, a Kearney vice president, in a statement. "The reality is most IT departments can't effectively explore innovative uses of technology because they are stuck in the daily operational grind. Business leaders accept this and look outside of IT for innovative technology resources to achieve strategic business goals."

I'm sure Quinten Tarintino would appreciate the irony of technology slowing itself down with the daily grind and an email about email overload. I hope you do as well.