A lot of people are complaining to me that they are receiving thousands of text messages and phone calls everyday, and not to mention, a lot of emails that "ping" them on their desktop PCs whilst working or on their BlackBerry. Then there are those officemates who sign in to instant messaging software - only to get upset when someone sends them a message, saying "I am busy - don't disturb me right now".
These are people who believe - at their core - that they are victims of technology. Who nonetheless crave the technologies and the gadgets that surround them.
I have been there.
I came to a point where I couldn't live without my email. I would spend lots of download time on my 3G mobile phone plan just to check my Hotmail and Gmail accounts. I would also spend lots of money downloading the latest news from CNN, Yahoo Finance, Reuters, and BusinessWeek (as if I would make a decision on my investments that easily).
I also came to a point where I couldn't live without my phone - that if I left the house without a phone, it would've been akin to leaving the house without my pants on.
Then I realized that, heck, it's only technology. And how I use it is my business - I dictate how technology contributes to my life. Technology cannot dictate the way I live my life.
I turn off my mobile once in a while - or leave it on my desk whilst going for lunch with office colleagues. I have gotten off the habit of checking my Hotmail/Gmail (and OK, ebay...) accounts every hour or so. And am getting out of the "Facebook" addiction.
I am retaking my life back from technology.
But here's the funny thing: Those who actually say that "I don't want technology to rule my life", those who say "human connections are still better than technology, emails, or IMs"... They are the ones who are struggling in keeping up.
Here's my suggestion: Don't resist the technology urge. Ride through it. Immerse yourself in it. Even if it means emptying your 2'800 unread emails, with gazillion megabytes of attachments - go for it. Face them. It's only emails and instant messages.
If you really don't want to get disturbed, don't sign in to IM at all. Or turn off the crackberry. If you really don't want to be disturbed by email, turn off Outlook or Lotus Notes - and turn on your out-of-office assistant saying that you're checking emails only at 5pm or 12nn - and follow your routine.
Will you miss something? Perhaps an urgent message? Sure. You will. But hey - something's gotta give. And you'll have to know what to prioritize.
The more you resist technology, the more it will persist and thrust itself unto you/
Just ride it. It's only technology.
You still make the call.
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