disconnecting
This post talks about when it’s time to stop all the connectivity. Halt the txts, e-mails, facebook, twitter, linkedin, and whatever else that keeps you engaged in the moment.
Disconnection
When I started social networking, it began with linkedIn. Next, I got into twitter and soon after, facebook. I was connecting, updating, sharing, learning, reading and “listening” all day and night.
It was fun. Who am I kidding; it was amazing. So many old friends and colleagues that I lost. Now, they were all here. I could talk, catch up, and share my life.
I soon learned that keeping up with my digital life was a lot of work. And, I tried my best. I jumped into the 21st century and got a “smartphone.” Receiving e-mails came almost instantly. Day and night, it didn’t matter.
Then, I got tired. It became a chore. I burned out.
Enough is Enough
Since I’m writing this post, you can safely assume I found a way to balance the digital connection with my life. Around the beginning of the year, I made some key changes.
All my online networks are connected to one e-mail address. That e-mail address gets routed to my phone. My phone e-mail app now checks for new e-mails every 30 minutes during the week and once an hour on the weekend. I used to have it set to check every 5 minutes. No more. Also, I set my phone to stop checking when I go to sleep. In the morning, it starts checking once I’m ready to go. I control the e-mail, it doesn’t control me. Unless, I want it to… ;-P
Sites
My notifications from the various websites all go to my e-mail. They stop when I want them to stop. I limit my time visiting facebook, linkedin and twitter to when I have or make time. Notice how I only name three? These are the only three I focus on for social networking. Google Reader is my online newspaper. It’s ready to read when I’m ready to read it.
Whatever you do, keep yourself focus and sharp so you don’t burnout!
Please share any strategies you use to disconnect!!
photo credit: bondidwhat
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