From Blackberries and cell phones to iPods and MP3 players, we’re living in a
world defined by new technology. While these sophisticated devices make our
lives easier, they also add an unnecessary burden to our already pressure-packed
schedules.
With instant accessibility, the flexibility to work anywhere, anytime and an
avalanche of information arriving daily in our inboxes, it’s easy to let our
jobs dominate our personal lives. Technology overload is a real and growing
problem and the only way to deal with it is to develop good work habits.
| • | Set boundaries: Don’t let work take up
all of your time. Remember that your Blackberry and cell phone have “off”
buttons! Turn them off when you’re at a meeting, on lunch, visiting friends
or spending time with your family. And leave your gadgets and laptop at home
when you go on vacation. You need some personal downtime to rest, recover
and rejuvenate.
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| • | Set a schedule for checking e-mail:
Constantly checking e-mail can interfere with your concentration and reduce
productivity. Most people don’t expect an instant response to their
messages, anyway. Set a reasonable timeframe for responding to e-mail and
let people know when they can expect a response from you. Don’t check e-mail
when you’re not at work. Learn more about avoiding
e-mail overload.
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| • | Be considerate: Talking on your cell
phone in public places can be irritating for others. Try to limit your calls
to situations where you can’t be overheard. And don’t steal glances at your
Blackberry or send text messages when you’re at a meeting or enjoying
personal time with family or friends. You can’t be fully engaged in an
activity if you’re always distracted by your electronic gadgets.
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| • | Use your devices safely: Using
hand-held cell phones and Blackberries while driving is very distracting and
can cause accidents. When you’re on the road, use hands-free devices or have
a passenger place a call or send a message for you (but remember that the
conversation itself is a distraction). Even better, put your electronic
devices away until you arrive at your destination.
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| • | There’s a right time for face-to-face
interactions: If you’re spending a lot of time sending e-mails back and
forth on an issue, it may be more appropriate to arrange a conference call
or a meeting with your colleagues. You’ll deal with the issue faster and the
personal interaction can be a pleasant break in a hectic day.
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| • | Don’t be a victim of ‘feature fatigue’:
Electronic devices are becoming so complicated these days that you need an
engineering degree to operate some of them. If you’re purchasing an
electronic device, don’t buy more features than you really need. Do your
homework and research the options before making a purchase. Some stores will
let you test out a device before buying, so you can quickly find out if the
gadget is going to complicate or simplify your life.
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