Technology is both a blessing and a curse. Thanks to the Internet and a plethora of marvelous devices, we have the ability to "stay in touch" at all hours of the day and night.
And even though we may not have an appointment scheduled, there are still many tasks that have to be addressed on a daily basis. "Quiet time" generally involves working on the web, answering emails, or following up on leads.
And when we're not working, we are learning. We are reading and studying about new ways to increase our businesses or to make our jobs more efficient.
I even dream about work, so there's no rest for the weary while asleep either. I remember once, a very long time ago, when I worked until a certain time and when I got off I could forget about work until the next day. That was a wonderful feeling.
And although we are more technologically advanced now than we were in my younger days, I really wonder if our quality of life is better now than it was then.
I really do.
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Richard,
I would say unquestionably that it's better. No faxes to check, staying tied to the land line via pagers, days to get documents back and forth through regular mail, typing and carbon paper, etc. Much nicer and easier now. :)
Steve
Rest...hmmmm....sometimes the "doctor's orders" but for me...still means with a laptop...and I guess I see it as a way to keep the gray matter stirring....and there is nothing else I would rather do...resting...not good at that...happiest of holidays !
Richard,
Interesting conundrum. I'm of the opinion though that the "good old days" are relived better in our memories. When they were actually occurring, they weren't that good.
Rich
Richard we have to let go every now and then . HAVE too is the key. I find no problems with cutting off the PDA and the PC. With some recent family health issues I find myself doing it often.
Hi Richard, I've wondered the same thing. I think technology can make someone lazy. Meaning, no more phone calls to loved ones wishing them a happy holiday. People are posting those good wishes on facebook and other social media sites. I make phone calls and get wishes back via email or facebook. That I do not like.
Work-wise, it's easier. Communicating with clients via email, cell phone and text messages gives no one an excuse for not hearing from each other.
Love the picuture!
Good question about the information highway and the times we currently live in. The faster we move the info, the more activity that is created. It sure can be consuming! I enjoy being consumed in this way, until it infringes on others who need my attention in a direct manner, or when all the other chores pile up too high - balance.
Richard - I hear you ! Over the weekend, our inbox was full so we did the best we could to keep up with the emails and of course the text messages. I love that saying "blessing and a curse". I use the same phrase when we are really busy, which is most of the time : ) . I still think we are so much better off as it is a choice to for us to work. The really smart ones turn their phones off and do not get on the computer or go somewhere where there is a bad signal and no internet connection : )
Richard,
I feel it is better, but I am feeling a bit guilty for not returning a call yesterday. I know I shouldn't feel guilty because my outbound msg stated I am ou until Monday. But it is not like me to do that.
Hi Richard,
Good, thought provocking post as always. I guess it all depends on your personal definition of "life" and where and with whom you would rather spend it. Technology is amazing, but quiet time is pretty amazing, too...like quiet time behind your camera capturing more fantastic photos for US to enjoy :)
all the best...
Having grown up with the Commodore 64 plugged into a 9 inch black and white TV (or the IBM Selectric typewriter!) I can attest to the significant improvement. Are we better off? Heck yes..give me my cell phone, digital camera, email, HDTV, and the rest of the stuff!
Steve ....
True, but back then we had the "excuse" of time, while now everyone expects an immediate response! Thanks for the comment.
S & D...
Ah yes, the laptop is always aglow! Thanks so much for adding to the conversation.
Rich...
Of course, we had "youth" then and that made up for a lot of other things. lol and thanks.
Richard, Since the kids and grand children have moved across the street we have been spending more family time together. It usually consist of all of us sitting in the same room with computers. iPhones, xbox and blackberry all fired up and everyone doing their own thing. At least we are together!!
Richard.....just my opinion, but I think it's much better now than before.....our minds have to work more(I know that for certain!!) to keep up with modern technology....maybe that will result in alzheimers coming later rather than sooner....that's how I see it.....I'm more than willing to think, even at night!!
I think for the most part its a good thing. But sometimes it would be nice to be able to unplug for awhile.
With the use of technology I find that I "work" seven days a week. I only get a relief if I go away on a vacation trip and even then the first and last day of vacation are spent thinking about what should or could be done at work.
I agree that the method of doing business and maintaining contact with family, friends and clients is a lot easier thanks to technology and it is a treat to sit down and actually have a conversation with someone. However, after the fun is over I sometimes feel guilty when I think about all that I could have accomplished using the computer during that time.
Richard, so true. With partners and a proper setup one may be able to take a day off, but it's hard. Emails and phone calls need to be answered, or they will go elsewhere.
Laura...
But it seems like today that callers are more impatient, and if you don't answer the phone one time they'll go on to someone else. Sorry to hear about the family health issues, that can really try one's soul.
Jackie...
Is it easier or more demanding? A lot of easy tasks can combine into a major time demand. That's where my concern lies! Thanks for the comment.
Renee...
Exactly! Activity rises to capacity. Very insightful, thanks.
Richard, Good question. I do think it should be OK to take time off. However, it's a tough world in the real estate market where clients really do expect that you are available all day every day. I do a large number of referrals and one nice factor is that folks who want to work with you will wait a bit for you. (Not a ton, but they do give you leeway verses you chasing them for business.) All the best, Michelle
Hi Richard. Things certainly have changed...
Here I am, 8 AM on Sunday checking out some posts.
There is no rest for the weary...
Have a great day,
Ken
Richard, technology has improved our lives tremendously. However, I think it puts more demands on what little free time we may have though.
Richard - It's certainly harder than it used to be, but I stayed away from the computer for four solid days. Felt good. :)
Richard, as long as I'm learning, I'm living. Whether I'm reading a book or blogs on AR, I am always learning something ... amazing. Maybe some of my missing brain cells will regenerate. Could I get smarter? One can only hope.
Richard - I often wonder (now) what we did when all we had was a single phone line (often a party line!), no call waiting, no caller ID, no voice mail or answering machines. A busy signal was a busy signal, no 'beeping' in. Mail was delivered to the box in front of the house, we wrote checks to pay those bills, we used cash to purchase things, and the man at the service station pumped our gas and cleaned the windshield ... always with the "check your oil?" offer.
When we left on vacation our only thought was how much mail would be piled on the kitchen table when we got back. There was no stress over missed calls, voice messages or email that had flooded in.
I remember my very first answering machine ... the size of a stinking bread box! And that first cordless phone? Way too cool ... but it weighed a ton!
We've come a long way, that's for sure. But sometimes I still wonder if it's been for the better.
Richard: I have gotten in the habit of leaving my cell phone at home when it's outside of my stated business hours...that is...if my husband has his. Nowadays, I can't imagine leaving the house without someone's cell phone. What if something happened? I guess I could knock on someone's door and ask to use the phone, like I did when I was 17 and Mom's car was overheating on a main road. Oh how things have changed.
I think we are busier and more stressed than ever before. I will never complain about not having to punch a time clock or turn in a time card, however.
I know that we feel as though we are particularly vulnerable - we are agents and our clients demand service NOW...However, employees also face this problem. Laptops and smart phones mean that their employers expect them to be on tap anytime anywhere 24/7. It's happening all over as the lines between work and private life become blurred.
Great post today, Richard, but I have to very respectfully disagree with this statement: "I remember once, a very long time ago, when I worked until a certain time and when I got off I could forget about work until the next day. That was a wonderful feeling."
Not such a wonderful memory for me, because that meant that I spent my time working to make someone else wealthy, someone else successful, someone else powerful and more well connected. I left working for the man in January 2004 and have never looked back. Today, I could never imagine myself working for someone else, I will always be an entrepreneur so long as my health allows.
I do understand the point you were making with this statement though. As entrepreneurs we must stop and take time for ourselves. To be able to come home and not think about work must be nice, but I would never trade that for the ability to work for myself.
Richard, I have come to the conclusion that there is both good and bad with technology. It has definitely shifted our interests from those prevalent just a few decades ago. Of course, these interests would make no sense to our forefathers today. I guess it is a matter of perspective.
Hi Richard,
I do feel like sometimes our memories distort how great things really were..I for one feel we have moved on for the better even if our instant gratification can get the best of us!!
Richard:
Technology is a mixed blessing. I do remember those big, outdated-when-you-got-them MLS books prior to on-line listings. I also remember having to run around at night delivering offers before faxes and email.
But, yes, we are now totally tied to it all...