Technology can be our best friend as well as our worst enemy.
I remember when Paul walked in with his mini briefcase. We all sat there with amazement as he unzipped the case and plugged in the first Motorola cell phone into the power pack that lay within the brief case.
At that point in time only the ‘privileged‘ could afford the technology. Now it seems like every kid in pre-school walks around with their own cell phones.
What used to be a luxury has now become a necessity.
At times we lose site of what we have gotten used to. Those that have grown to rely on their blackberries can relate to my anxiety attack when I figured out I had left my charger in a hotel room.
I did not realize how much I relied on this small piece of technology.
Then you come to think of the true addiction. Will my world end if I do not have access to my cell phone? Especially on the weekend.
Technology can be very effective in this fast paced world we have created for ourselves. At the same time it can be our worst enemy if we do not balance the usage.
If we are not careful we will let technology control our lives instead of us controling the benefits of technology.
We have gotten used to always being attached and available to our clients. True leaders use the technology to make their life more effective so they can be more attached and available to those that are their true priority; their partners, children, family and friends.
Effective leaders control the technology in their lives instead of the technology controlling them.
Now I am going to go enjoy my weekend without the disturbance of the phone and email glued to my hip.
Fred Sarkari
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This was a very timely post. I am a self confessed crackberry addict. I have been on a very important project over the last few months and this tool has been invaluable… it’s the time that you are in between traffic lights trying to read / send / create an email that you realize you have serious problems. I agree, you need to prioritize the important things and let the crackberry not engulf your world. Can I live without my blackberry? Yes, I can… first step to recovery!!!
You have hit the nail on the head. PRIORITIES…
Reactive people work at 25% of their efficiency. Crack berry does make us reactive.
How often do we see people in the middle of a conversation check who emailed them, with no intention to reply, just check due to habit.
Being aware of our priorities helps us stay focused on not reactive.
Fred Sarkari
I DID IT… I am no longer a crackberry addict… I ended up redeploying the unit to another person within the organization…. does that now make me a crackberry trafficker? That wasn’t the intention! Anyhow, I have broken the technological bondage… you know, I didn’t shed a tear while giving up the unit to its new owner.
Good for you. The art of delegation.
I bet you would shed a tear if you had to take it back.
My question to you is what specifically are you going to do with you precious time? It has to be something for you and / or family.
Have a great day
Okay, so I did it… I ended up getting an iPhone. I think this tool is absolutely brilliant. I had a rough first two days with it, it wasn’t working except for receiving and making calls…but now, it works fabulously. Yup, it isn’t an office related spend, more like a luxury spontaneous early Christmas present buy. Just thought I’d share! I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
Welcome to the club. If you were use to the blackberry it will take a little bit of time to get used to the iphone.
Do not make the same mistake people do in life. Focus on what they do not have while losing sight of what they have in front of them.
That being said, there are a few things that the iphone was more convenient with and at the same time there are things the iphone has that the blackberry could not dream of.
Some free applications you should look at downloading.
- Shazam
- Google
- Say Who
- Drinks Free
- Translator
- Google Earth
- Local Picks
- Flixter
- Timmyme (if you drink tim hortens)
Have fun and keep smiling
Fred Sarkari
Just noticed that your blog doesn’t seem to have any updates. Considering today is Friday the 13th and tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, it would have been interesting to hear your take on either day.
Hello my crackberry friend. My apologies for not posting recently and also a thank you for giving me the reason to do so.
I truly enjoy Valentines day not only for the joy people have that day but the ripple affect it causes.
If you have ever thrown rocks in the lake, you will know where I am coming from.
First there is the anticipation of finding that perfect rock. Same as us taking the time to find the perfect gift for our loved ones.
When we do find that perfect rock we are so excited that we start showing our friends “I was the one that found the best rock by the lake, an in turn will have the best ripple affect.”
When we find that perfect gift for our loved one, we start telling our close friends what we have in plan for that special day. At points it gets into a bragging game of who had the best idea for valentines day, who found the best rock.
Than the pivotal moment of throwing that rock into the lake and watching the ripples take action.
The best part about all this whole process is to see the joy and enjoyment in our loved ones eyes when they receive our special gift. the more time and effort we had put into it the bigger the ripple affect our loved ones will have. they will go back to their friends and start talking about how special that day was to them.
As all ripples in a lake, they come to an end. Waiting, waiting for that next special day someone walks to the lake and throws in that rock.
As much as valentines day puts a smile on my face due to the love that people share for each other. It also saddens me to see the world go right back to its everyday survival mode waiting for the next special day.
What would this world be like, what joy would people face if we all took the time to more frequently throw a pebble in the lake.
Fred Sarkari
I love this post Fred! It’s beautiful and reminds me to slow down and take the time to throw a pebble
Have a wonderful day!
Thanks Tamara,
In my opinion, the best place to throw a pebble is in the okanagan lake.
For those out there in the world that do not know the beauty of Okanagan, click on the link.
http://www.stoneteam.com/okanagan.php
Fred Sarkari
Sometimes though, for those who do not necessarily have a significant other to share Valentines, it’s important to remember (if only on that one day) those other important people in our lives – past and present. Also, its a great excuse to treat yourself to a nice gift(s).
My friend, I never know what to call you? give me a name you prefer
You are absolutely right. The moral of the story is that use Valentines Day not only to treat those you love, strangers and yourself with a little extra. But more importantly use it as a reminder that we should at all times go out of our way in order to make those around us feel special.
Fred Sarkari
So any thoughts on how to survive this economic downturn? The cities that once boomed are no longer booming…
Hello my iphone addict friend.
I read your question and realized the importance in the depth within it.
I have written an actual post on it which can be accessed from the link below.
Have a great read.
http://mentalsidewalk.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/how-to-survive-this-market-crash-this-economic-downturn/
Hi there, just passing through. You have a really good site here! Helped me actually. So thanks and all the best! PS. Do you have a Myspace page? Thanks. Jon B.
I appreciate your article, do a good job, continue to workhard.