articles by Doris Helge the Joy on the Job Coach > Tame Technology
TAME TECHNOLOGY
By Doris Helge, Ph.D. ©2008 Syndicated Columnist Joy on the Job Coach It was a lie. You weren’t the only person who fell for the promise that technology would create more leisure time. Millions of people feel betrayed. Computers have stolen something precious. It’s something we didn’t value until it was ripped away from us — the eight-hour work day. You know the drill. The person on the other end of the line groans, “I’ll have to call you back. My computer is locked up as tight as Fort Knox.” What the tech have we done to ourselves? We’re addicted to machines. Tempers flare. Patience is rare. Angry office workers in many industrialized countries report spending up to 20 percent of their work time repairing malfunctioning computers and software. The World Wide Web instant communication and information we love carries a hefty price tag. Bosses and customers often expect responses to complex requests at the speed of light. Generation clashes have escalated. A baby boomer wearing a suit rolls his eyes and shakes his head. He has just received software training by the latest in a series of tech-savvy youths in t-shirts who call him, “Hey, Dude.” Technostress is real . . . and it’s rampant. Your body knows it. Chiropractors cash in on “the Microsoft neck.” Companies moan about increased health care costs. In addition to causing mental fatigue, eye strain, headaches, neck pain, and back aches, the electromagnetic frequencies in computers can shape our behavior. The computer’s instant feedback systems can cause us to expect rapid yes-no responses from other people. We often become exasperated with those who take time to give a thoughtful response to a complicated question. It’s easy to alienate the resources (other people) we need if we are to thrive. You see, we haven’t changed all that much since we lived in a cave with our clan. We’re still hardwired to nurture and support each other. We crave interaction with our own species more than with a computer. We require meaningful relationships. It’s time to tame technology. TIPS Here are some pointers to help you avoid technostress, create harmony and enjoy work-life balance. Make sure you nurture your innate needs to relate effectively with other people as much as you honor the seduction of a machine that performs upon command. If you notice you are irritated or abrupt with other people, create a brief buffer between computer time and people time. Pause to ponder. Remind yourself that you’re now dealing with humans. Most people don’t operate as on-off, yes-no machines. Engage in genuine play and relaxation with others. Totally unplug from your tech tools instead of multitasking. All of us resent fake attention. If you notice anxious thoughts about your to-do list, briefly make a note you can address later. Then remind yourself that research proves you’ll work better, faster, and more efficiently after a quality break. Share your feelings and emotions with people you trust. You are not a machine. You need to express yourself in order to thrive. Develop greater self-awareness when using your computer. Place a note on the side of your screen or set a timer to remind you to meet your physical needs so you have positive energy to share with others. The Three B’s Note works well — breathe, blink, & break. Deep breathing protects you from unnecessary fatigue. Fresh oxygen also keeps your brainpower sharper. Work is quicker and easier. Blinking frequently while you work reduces computer stress. Short stretch breaks, even arm stretches while seated, reduce stress. You can also avoid repetitive stress injuries. Make sure you go outside several times a day, even if just for a few minutes. We’re designed to be hunters and gatherers, not sedentary indoor robots shielded from nature. Don’t allow a machine to control your life. Tame technology today. ________________________________________________________________ Doris Helge, Ph.D., is an executive coach, corporate trainer, and speaker. She is author of “Joy on the Job” and “Transforming Pain Into Power,” published in many languages. Dr. Helge hosts the “Joy on the Job” radio show and www.MoreJoyOnTheJob.com. To discover how to create more fun and fulfillment at work and boost employee retention, contact Dr. Helge at Doris@MoreJoyOnTheJob.com.
The "Joy on the Job" Column can run in your newspaper. Each article can be customized (word length, with or without an illustration, etc.) for your needs. Contact the author at: Doris@MoreJoyOnTheJob.com
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