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It’s become somewhat fashionable to talk about BlackBerry addiction. People laugh about taking their BlackBerry to bed, to the bathroom, and being unable to resist checking it whenever a new message comes in. According to a recent America Online poll, 41% of adults check their e-mail first thing in the morning, even before brushing their teeth.
If this is you, you probably make a pretty good case as to why you must be available and know what’s going on at all times. Whether that’s accurate or not, if in between all the jokes and BlackBerry love stories you’ve ever had that sinking feeling that your affection may be a little “off “, here are 3 great reasons why you should consider making a change:
1. Your efficiency is suffering
If you’re letting incoming information, whether it’s in the form of email, phone calls, voicemails, RSS feeds, tweets, or whatever, interrupt you each time they come in, you are not working at full efficiency.
Edward Hallowell, MD, author of “CrazyBusy: Overbooked, Overstretched, and About to Snap!” says that multitasking can cause the brain to overheat, like a car engine, because the brain cannot be at peak performance all day long – it needs periods of rest even during the day.
Action step: let your mind rest from technology and information at times – you can make it a habit to do this whenever you eat, for example. Take 15 or 30 minutes for lunch and just rest.
2. Email may not be good for your health
Reading your email can be stimulating, and depending on the email, can even make you tense. So if you’re checking it close to your bedtime, it’s probably affecting the quality of your sleep. Mark Rosekind, PhD, former director of the Fatigue Countermeasures Program at the NASA Ames Research Center explains that the stimulation puts you in a state where your brain is revved up and your body is stressed out, which is a less than ideal state to be in for getting a good night’s rest.
Action Step: try to avoid email for at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Sleep is essential, and if you get enough of it, you will be healthier, feel more alert, and in the end, more productive. Isn’t that what you’re trying to accomplish in the first place?
3. Work and email isn’t all there is
If something were to happen to you today, could you look back on your life and have a sense of fulfillment, a sense that you’re satisfied with every aspect of it? If not, what is it that you’re neglecting, where is your life out of balance? Everyone is different, and some people value balance more than others – so only you know the answer to that.
Action Step: if you have even an inkling that you’re neglecting key people and areas in your life, turn off that device and go spend some time disconnected – you’ll be surprised how making that a habit even for just 30 minutes a day will make you feel more in control and happier all around. And that feels good.
Eliminate “all or nothing” thinking – pick just ONE idea from this article, start implementing it NOW, and try it out CONSISTENTLY for 30 days. Even small changes can have a great and positive ripple effect.
Claudine Motto © 2008
Claudine Motto is a Time Management and Productivity coach who shows solopreneurs how to regain control, make time for priorities, and get more done.
For more productivity, time management, and office organizing tips, go to http://www.vistalnorte.com.
To set up a complimentary 20-minute coaching session, visit http://www.vistalnorte.com/contact.htm
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