Can you?

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Last Tuesday night we, the Tribal Council, were commenting on when was the last time you turned your technology off. Not surprisingly, none of us turn it off.

 

In fact, Fred and I get in trouble because our heads are bowed down immersed in email. Those that are with us get very upset because it appears we are not paying attention. We are...albeit only partially.

 

The last time I actually turned my computer off (I carry it with me at all times) was two weeks ago. But before that...never. Every day of the week I wake up anywhere between 5 and 6A and "crack" my laptop to take care of the overnight emails. And during the day my iPhone serves as my constant companion with a continual stream of emails flowing in.

 

Although the thought scares me a bit, maybe I should plan a day where I turn everything off. Wonder what that would feel like. Though I can imagine when I turn it back on the enormous amount of emails and information I would need to deal with.

 

Do you turn yours off?

Comments

Donald Bernstein

Kind of like a technology Shabbos. Not a bad idea resting for one day. We were in Prague a few weeks ago and I had no international service so my cell phone stayed in the safe. It was a relief.
Fred Klein

Never, but have a rule that once I go to sleep I do not look at it at night

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 22:27

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When I accidentally recently left the office without my cell phone, people said my mind was going. I made sure that never happened again...too painful.

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 22:35

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Hmm...How many hours a night do you sleep?
My computer goes off at night. So far, I do not access email on my phone; too frenetic, constant, disruptive, and annoying on a small screen...for me. Granted, I miss things, but I let people know that to reach me quickly, use text or voice mail. My phone stays on, but overnight on weekends, it's in silent mode...unless, like this weekend, I'm leading seminars. But then, I love the days when I chuck the watch as well as all the other techno garb...and tell time by the sun, eat and sleep according to desire, with no schedule.
Corey Bearak

Rarely
A re-start counts not at all in my view.
While the Mac boots fast, my view remains why wait at all.

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Sat, 05/04/2013 - 00:53

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There needs to balance in life. Granddaughter time calls for fun without electronic devices. Cell phone only answered for close family.
Then there is gardening, having dinner, or just a chat with family.
Don't forget that your kids learn by watching.
Another is driving, there is absolutely no text and drive.

Submitted by Liz_Saldana on Sat, 05/04/2013 - 01:07

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Liz Saldana

My Mac, iPhone and iPad all get turned off when I go to sleep. I have international clients who send email (and occasionally call forgetting about the time difference) during the night and I don't want to be woken up. When we need to talk in the middle of my night, I make an appointment to do so.

My Mac, like my coffee pot, is set to automatically turn on before I wake up so I can start my day with no delays. I'm still waiting for the iPhone to integrate that capability.

That being said, I do not look at or answer my phone while with clients. If I'm expecting a call urgent enough to interrupt time with a client, I explain it ahead of time and then excuse myself if it comes in. I also do my best not to look at email during meetings. If I'm in the room, there's a reason I wanted to be there; so if some one is speaking, I like to give them my attention.
Cynthia Somma

Nope, never---and I stopped apologizing for it a long time ago. I enjoy it and I am way more productive--My clients were the first to insist that I start texting. If you can't beat 'em join 'em. I'm glad I did.

Corey, well said...I agree---why wait?
Rona Gura

I vow, every weekend, not to look at my work email. Every time I break that vow, I regret it.

Submitted by TheodoreLanzaro on Sat, 05/04/2013 - 10:15

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Theodore Lanzaro

You should try a "day of silence". No cellphone, laptop or electronics on. Speak only when necessary. The idea is to "quiet your mind". I do this one day a month and it totally recharges your battery and clears your mind for your subconcious to give you great ideas.

Plus, no business person should give their clients unlimited access day or night. It is simply ridiculous and proof that you have not "trained" or selected your clients properly.

Submitted by Lucas_Meyer on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 05:19

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Lucas Meyer

I almost never turn either of my computers off, unless I need to reboot them. At night, my iPhone "sleeps" on the kitchen counter plugged into its charger, and cannot be heard from the bedroom.

We visit my wife's family at Christmas and New Years, and because we're out of the country, our cell phones don't work, and my mother-in-law doesn't have internet service (on purpose). I kind of enjoy being un-plugged for a week or two...

Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 23:56

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Erik Scheibe

I usually turn the ringer off when I am in a meeting with someone. I prefer to pririotize the people I am with at the time. I am not going to say that I never check it, but I do turn it off.

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