Technology is here to
stay. But how much of it do we really need? Recently, to prove a
point to a couple of friends who were calling me constantly on my cellular phone
- I threw my cell phone in a drawer.
It is now [at time
of writing] two months
later, and I pulled it out once, then had it break - haven't missed it since.
And the world didn't stop. I didn't miss any
meetings. Initially, I did miss having the phone in the car - when I wanted to call to say I was running
close to time - but I have not been late once since getting rid of the cell
phone. And I haven't missed many pertinent calls. Like the saying
goes, "if it is important, they'll call back."
 |
Really, how important is our technology? Does it
kiss a lover? Does it hug a child? Does it sustain the
body? In fact, it may even get IN THE WAY of communicating. |
Out of all the new
devices we have, the coolest new device I have is a Palm III. Why do I
like it? Well, because now I can keep track of everything I used to keep
in my large 9 x 12 day timer - but it fits in my coat pocket. Where I used
to keep a notepad around to jot down ideas for living better or AspireNow
articles, now I jot it down on the Palm. I also use it to keep track of
key pin numbers, bank info, address book numbers, you name it.
When before I had a
different system for home, band, personal, and business - now I have one system
interrelating all life aspects. It is truly a cool little device. But I
still don't have the ability to dictate to it. That's the thing I want:
DICTATION. If I could only talk to my computer (palm) then I
could write articles without having to sit at my computer -- definitely a
function that provides an ability to work anywhere. (They have this
functionality for
other hand-held computers but other hand-held computers lack the simplicity of Palm.) I have also
discovered that I can use the Palm for a notepad, too (I often write down ideas
for articles, etc., when out in bookstores or at a coffee shop). Now, I've
discovered I can even compose music using music software on a Palm. That's
a function my day timer and notepad could not ever provide to me.
The keys to technology
are to make sure they truly save us time - not take our time. An example
of technology that can waste as much time as it saves is the internet.
There is so much noise on the internet that when you go surfing you can easily
have an hour or two slip by before you even know what hit you. It has
happened to me. Was the hour productive? That is a question to ask.
So, I try to keep track of the time I'm spending AND remain focused on my
original purpose for searching the Internet in the first place.
My sister likes to have
her students list all of the various electronic and technological items they use
throughout a given month, then choose which three they'll keep. An
interesting exercise, I think. Which would you keep? The cell phone
or the TV? The refrigerator or the microwave? The pager or the hair
dryer? Tough choices, or are they? Many people have chucked the
microwave and other items people in America consider
"necessities." But to put it in perspective, two thirds of the
people on this planet have never used a telephone.
We'll examine more ways
to utilize technology, from a useful standpoint, in the months ahead. And,
in the meantime, my cell phone can stay in the drawer.
Note from the
author: my cell phone stayed in the drawer for a year. In my absence
from cell phone service I discovered I often just chatted on the cell phone because it was there, rather than listen to music or a
tape as I had done in the past. This technology makes it harder to become
quiet and have reflective moments. I now have a cell phone again, and struggle
with this battle, as everyone else with cellular phones struggles. Yes, now I can call more easily if I am
late for a business meeting, dinner, or band practice. Yes, in an emergency a
business associate, family, or friend can more easily reach me. But
the cell phone is not as necessary as we believe it to be. We CAN leave be or
mute this technology when we are in restaurants, churches, bookstores, and other
public places. I proved
it can be done -- for over a year.
Scott
Andrews is CEO and Founder of AspireNow (www.AspireNow.com),
a leading business productivity and personal development firm based in
California. AspireNow helps organizations launch new products and
services, maximize sales, and innovatively change businesses through
cutting-edge and empowering business models and processes. For more
information, contact Scott@AspireNow.com,
or visit http://www.AspireNow.com.
