By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
Okay, I get it. I really do. All this digital media is about more and more cool ways to stay in touch.
But does it?
Every morning when I get up I have to flip on my ‘puter and check three email addresses. I’m constantly checking Facebook and Twitter and my other social media portals. Oh, and don’t forget text messages and two telephone lines. My husband has two more phone lines.
On Tuesday, I went to a networking luncheon and someone asked me, “Did you get my email?”
I replied, “When did you send it? I’ve been away from my laptop since about 7:30 this morning.”
“I sent it about 8:30 am,” he said. I could tell he was mildly annoyed.
Last week I left the house for an early morning meeting and afterward, I realized I left my cell phone at home on the charger. I was across town and I had a meeting in that neck of the woods in the afternoon. So, I got my car washed, did some shopping for the holidays – and was blissfully uninterrupted by my cell phone for a few hours. I got home about 3:00 pm and as I’m putting the key in the lock my neighbor comes over to me and asks, “Denise, are you okay?”
I said, “Sure, I’m fine. Why?”
“Well, because Ernie (he was out of town on business) has been trying to get ahold of you all day and he’s worried sick maybe you’re not okay or something is wrong,” she replied.
So, I called when I got in the house. He’d tried to call me last night too after I’d fallen off to sleep and I just hadn’t checked the phone in the morning. “I’m fine,” I sighed to my adoring husband. Just needed to unplug from it all for a few hours.
This week I went to a breakfast networking meeting. You’re supposed to chat, talk and build relationships on which you might be able to do business with some people in the future. Everyone around me or across me was texting or checking their I-phone while eggs and hash browns were being served. Seems like people have angst about disconnecting for even a few minutes.
Ernie and I went to see a movie today and there were three commercials before the movie about silencing your cell phone and not texting.
Two weeks ago I gave a seminar and at one point I had to tell a woman to stop texting and turn off her phone.
I mean, c’mon. How are we supposed to be connected and learn new things right where we’re at if we’re constantly checking communications (often mindless) from someone in another place? How can you enjoy a movie and get lost in the story if you’re constantly letting yourself get interrupted. How can you ever relax and chill if we’re constantly “on?”
Just because we can be plugged in all the time now – does it really mean it’s a good idea? Just because we have the ability to constantly be online – does it really mean we should?
I think there’s a digital smackdown coming. Or, at least a rebellion.
I was listening to public radio in my car and there was a story about what they termed a “return to slow media.” That mean they used to phone (no texting), watched television now and then – and that’s about it. What they noticed was a refreshed calm they hadn’t felt in years and their relationships began to take on a new meaning and richness they missed when going back and forth with texts and tweets.
I’d love to try it. But I’m too chicken to unplug.
Tags: business, Denise Michaels, media
Unplug. You can do it. You’re strong and courageous! You can conquer withdrawal. Well, maybe a couple of hours a week anyway.
You’re funny, Allen. *wink*
I just learned to text a few months ago. Not because I couldn’t figure it out or anything – but because it’s one more way to endlessly be in contact with people in these little snippets. I admit – they’re kind of cute and fun. But when you add all of it up – it gets to be a little much.
This is why I sometimes pack up my laptop and go work somewhere pretty and relaxing for a few hours. My favorite place is the Lake Las Vegas Loews Hotel. It’s beautiful and their internet connection and cell phone reception suck eggs – so it’s a perfect place to spend a few hours or an overnight stay and write or do whatever. In fact, I wrote a few of the chapters of my book there. I think being near the water – which we have very little of – helps, too.
I ‘unplug’ when I’m away from home.
My cell phone is nothing fancy..just a Samsung Gravity so when I text I can do so w/full keyboard…no blackberry or iphone or gphone for me…contemplated it, but then realized only time I truly disconnect/unplug is when I’m away from home (other than an occasional text sent to twitter which then updates facebook LOL)