"Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, 
but most of the things they make it easier to do 
don't need to be done." 
     ~ Andy Rooney ~

"TIO = Turn it Off" 
   ~ Edward Hallowell ~

SHUT IT DOWN

In the last article I addressed the phenomena of FUN. One reader wrote to tell me she is part of a recreational roller derby league "for women old enough to know better." Now that's some crazy fun.

Yet lots of us are too busy to take time for fun. When you are not enjoying what you are doing, particularly when you're doing something you usually enjoy, it's a tip off that you are way too busy in your life.

What's all the busy-ness about? We have a ton of labor saving devices at our disposal to help us through the day.

There is a paradox of labor saving devices, they can create more labor. If you're not careful you can use them to create more work for yourself.

These devices can become habit forming if not addictive. Why? Because they're fun. After awhile we begin reaching for our cell phone, or checking our messages and it becomes a habit, reaching for the cell phone, like reaching for a pack of cigarettes or an candy bar. It's there, so we use it.

But if you don't monitor yourself and take charge and use these things intentionally these things become distractions from your choice to live on purpose and by design.

Shut it down. Shut down your computer, your cell phone, your pda, when you are working, when you are having dinner with your family, with friends, when you are taking a walk.

Challenge your thinking that these devices are essential. For sure used properly they are fun and make your life easier and you can be more effective. The trick is to learn to use them wisely. If you don't use them wisely, they will use you.

If you don't take charge, you will waste your time, falling into the Bermuda Triangle field that sucks your energy and your time. Your time and your energy are your most precious assets. Don't let these wonderful tools and toys eat up what is most important to you.

I call them the devil's gift. Seems like a good thing on the surface, but....

Treat these things like a potentially addictive substance. If you find yourself overusing one, turn it off. Or put it in a place where you don't have easy access to it so you will train yourself to use it more intentionally rather than addictively.

Email is fun. You can run to the door to greet the post every minute. We love getting messages. Even if your inbox is full of junk, it's fun opening packages and finding out what is in there. We get hooked.

Have you ever gone to check your email and found yourself in front of your computer one hour later? It's called Screen Sucking. Put a timer next to your computer and put boundaries around your email time.

The solution - shut it down. Whether it is email, IM, Blackberry, text message, cell phone, turn it off. These things are technological devices and have an on/off switch. If you find you are developing a habit and wasting time you'd rather be spending elsewhere - then - shut it down.

Schedule time where you allow yourself to use them and the rest of the time - turn it off.

This is definitely one of those articles I am writing for my own benefit. Shut it down, Leslie, shut it down, now.

GIFT FOR YOU

For those of you who filled in the survey - a big THANKS. For those of you who did not - you still can :)  Click Here! 

And for ALL of you - a gift: "Freedom and the Art of Forgiveness"

Go here to collect: 

MORE ON FORGIVENESS

If you want to learn more about forgiveness, click here. 

This MP3 recording is of a lecture given by me at the Unity Church in Chicago. It is packed with valuable information about the power of forgiveness and how to use this gift in service to your greatest well-being.

For more about this mp3 click here: 

QUICK LINKS:

COPYRIGHT/CONTACT INFO/REPRINT PERMISSION

Copyright 2008 by Leslie Karen Sann, Living by Design
Visit this link for contact information:
leslie@living-bydesign.com

Reprint permission granted in part or whole when the following credit appears in full:

Copyright 2008 by Leslie Karen Sann,
Living by Design. All rights reserved. 
Web site. http://www.living-bydesign.com