Frozen Computer

It has been a week and then some since I last sent out a broadcast. I want to thank everyone who e-mailed me to make sure I was okay or to tell me that my broadcast was missed.

Here’s what happened. On Wednesday, March 19, 2008, I was sitting in front of my computer typing as fast as I can (turtle speed). I was putting the finishing touches to an exercise program when I decided to cross reference an exercise maneuver. I popped over to the Internet and typed in my search. I waited and waited for the computer to respond. Nothing. So, relying on my highly technical computer skills, I hit CTRL ALT DELETE. Still nothing. Now it was time to use my second technical move - when in doubt, reboot. Internet came on but froze. Done! Kaput!

Since that is the extent of my technical skills, the following day I dropped my computer off to the specialist. I had several viruses. Even the anti-virus program was tainted. I went eleven days without a computer. I had a computer at work, but I could not access many of my files or e-mail. I was going through withdrawal. The first two days were awful.

Then things started to change. I was spending more time with the family, reading even more than usual, and actually meeting a few friends for lunch and dinner.

Usually I am in computer mode – e-mail, researching and writing (activities of isolation) – but without the computer I went into social mode. And I liked social mode.

In case you are wondering, I am sharing this with you for two reasons – first, to apologize for not getting a broadcast to you in a timely manner and, second, to share with you how I am currently changing my computer habits to find more time for other things.

The action steps that I have taken to change my computer habits are as follows:

The first thing I did was to unsubscribe to e-mails I receive and don’t read. Now I know I am taking a risk by making this suggestion to you. I don’t want to lose a reader/subscriber, but if you do not feel that you get anything from my broadcast, then you should move on (but I hope you don’t).

The second action step was to view e-mail only twice per day, the afternoon and the late evening. I also turned off the little bell that dings every time e-mail is delivered, since I found that knowing I had e-mail was a distraction that I had difficulty ignoring!

Third, I e-mailed my friends and kindly asked them to call me if they have any questions instead of e-mailing me to avoid back and forth e-mail which takes up more time. I also asked my friends to avoid forwarding chain e-mails.

The fourth and last action step involved specific scheduling for computer time. The goal is to work on projects at a given time. For example, my goal is to write 30 minutes every morning, keeping in mind that some writing projects will take more time.

I hope this broadcast was helpful. I love the information age. At the same time, I feel it’s important to engage in human contact. You can’t get a hug from your computer (at least not yet). If you find that you are spending too much time in front of your computer, create a schedule that will allow you to accomplish your work and manage your in-coming e-mails so that you have more time for social activities.

To Your Health, Wealth & Happiness!

Dr. Michael J. Kaye
Knowledge, Action, Results