This blog entry from Fast Company is worth a read by itself. It raises some interesting questions.
In this entry, Robert Brunner hypothesizes:
We are so connected now that peace is elusive. I know I have had to force myself at times to just say no to my iPhone–I find myself in social situations having to stifle the urge to crank up the ol’ pocket pal just to see what is up. We are bombarded constantly with e-mail, IMs, Twitters, RSS feeds, YouTube, iPhone games, the list goes on and on. It’s hard to find moments where the brain can just be still.
Bear with me, as here is where design comes in. I work on these connected devices, both on hardware and software. And all our emphasis is on giving people easy and seamless access to more and more information. We focus most on being able to do more in less time, and to help people be more connected all the time. But we seldom, if ever, consider the consequences of this hyper-easy connectivity. I am starting to think we should stop and ask ourselves: How can I make this thing give people some peace?
I’ve always found it puzzling at how we are compelled to pick up the phone when it rings, open the mail or check our email every 5 minutes. I am no exception, especially because I love to be plugged in to the flow of information. Is vanishing peace the price of Hyper-easy connectivity? I don’t think it is necessary to lose our calm. I love the idea of designing more peace into our technology. But there are no-tech, simple solutions available right now. Here are a couple ways I maintain a quieter life.
1. Don’t Answer the Phone
We don’t answer our home phone at all anymore. We let it go to voicemail, and see the caller leaves a message. If they don’t, it probably wasn’t important enough to interrupt our time with anyway. Better yet…
2. Turn Off the Ringer
It is difficult to maintain concentration when the phone is ringing, beeping or buzzing. When I’m done with a project, or a conversation, or dinner, then I check for messages.
3. Turn Off Outlook
There is nothing like an incoming message to spoil a great writing session. I close Outlook when I start on a project. The email will still be there when I get to it. If it is truly urgent, they can call me, and leave a message.
4. Let the Mail Wait
When the mail comes in, it is full of junk and bills and magazine. Magazines go in one pile, interesting mail, like letters from family go into a second pile, and everything else goes into the 3rd pile. I put the magazines where they will get read, and I usually sit down right away with the friends and family mail. I let the rest wait for a couple days until I am ready to deal with it.
5. Pay Attention when You React to Interruptions
No one likes to be interrupted. How do you feel when you are interrupted? I get annoyed and frustrated. I lose my train of thought, or I feel too many demands on my time. These are my symptoms. When I notice these symptoms, I know there is an opportunity to make my life a little smoother. When I pay attention to my reactions, I can make small adjustments that remove specific sources of havoc.
What interrupts your peace and quiet? How do you deal with it? What are your tips for the rest of us? Please join the discuss by commenting below.
Tags: Fast Company, interruptions, Self Improvement, Social Networking, Stress Management, Tension