My phone dictates what I do and when, it beeps to remind me when to do things - who I promised to call, when to deliver albums, the location and timings of my next assignment. Some may understand this - and others may not.
So I had to totally rethink how to operate 'normally' again. Being without this my technical crutch had an impact on everything that I did.
Appointments : I have set up my phone so that whenever I make a new diary entry, my online diary and my computer diary are also updated. Quite techie eh ? No blooming use to man nor beast if you have no means of accessing your online organiser whilst away from your desk. I went out and bought a real diary. I started to record my entries using pen and paper again - and the world did not fall apart.
Calls : Admittedly I found this bit the hardest. Being unable to contact somebody in an emergency or if I was going to be late. But we all managed to cope before the influx of mobile phones, so why not now ? I learnt to sit in traffic, tune into the radio and just wait.
Facebook : When I have a minute or two, I am often updating my profile - or more accurately, reading what others are up to. I could no longer do this. It occurred to me what a total waste of time Facebook can be - if you don't use it sparingly. Instead I took the opportunity of catching up with my reading. I am currently reading A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway. Now this is productive. Beats the heck out of checking on random status updates.
As with all things in life - a little in moderation. But I was relying on my phone to help me run my life - and for a moment I thought that it would all fall apart without it. I am learning to redress the balance. I am spending less time concentrating on these distractions and more time being engaged.
If I was being truthful - I would say that by being separated from my phone I am more relaxed and able to give myself more time and space. I no longer feel "plugged in" all the time. I realised that I don't have to be contactable ALL the time - by clients, family, colleagues ... and whilst it is important that I keep in touch with these people - I realised that the person who allowed me to be caught up with the never-ending to-do lists and to be totally overwhelmed by these demands - was me. I am a victim of my own crazy schedule.
So how do I try and give myself more space in my life ?
Respect time : I waste time - FACT. I need to make the most of the spare half hours. So :
Whilst at my desk - Rather than spend half an hour checking 'stuff', I have decided to access one of the online training websites that I subscribe to. I am now spending quality time at my PC.
Whilst on the move - I am reading again. WooHoo.
Start saying no to things : More often than not, our need to please causes us to say "yes" to things that we really need to be saying "no" to. In fairness it is essential to our well-being to be a lot more selective in the things that we can commit to - so that we give the "authentic" us rather than the pre-occupied version of ourselves.
Allow yourself more time : This is my worst offence. For example - this Thursday - there are 9 entries in my electronic diary. This is a logistical nightmare. Already I am setting myself up to fail. I need to allow myself more time, again, so that I can focus on the matter in hand rather than worry about what I am doing next.
I am now more aware of the fact that it is me and me alone who is in control of my diary. I can dictate how I operate; no longer being the victim of my own unrealistic deadlines and expectations.
I am beginning to smell the roses again.
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My phone is literally attached. I swear, you could sew it onto my hand and it would probably be okay with me.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I find my phone makes me more productive. From timers to alarms, to twitter and my blog reader. It gives me something to fill in those vacant seconds and I feel more productive.
I agree Jamie - and thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteBut sometimes I feel that I permanently have my nose in my phone - and that life is just passing me by.
I lost my phone for two days the other week and couldn't work out how I ever functioned without it! And that's with me being stubborn and refusing to use it for anything more than it being a phone (and alarm of course).
ReplyDeleteMy friends try to convince me I need an iPhone, telling me how I can always be connected via facebook and email, and always able to go online and so on. I can see the benefits, but I much prefer to be able to switch off and have my own time, and to not be available to anyone at any moment of the day. I like my phone being a phone.
Vrinda - You are quite right - a phone should be a phone.
ReplyDeleteWell - actually - it makes quite a good diary too !
Being contactable 24/7 is very time consuming :o)