Technology continues to revolutionize our modes of work. When I started working at Henriksen/Butler in January 1989, the company used a few simple computer terminals with amber text monitors. Nearly all our design work was completed as pencil drawings on vellum paper drawn on drafting boards. I operated our only CAD computer and used a program called Versacad. I plotted design drawings on a pen plotter like the one shown in this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm_-6AUaN4M. Drawings were copied using a smelly ammonia-based blueprint machine. Our customer quotes were typed into a primitive word processor from handwritten spec sheets. E-mail was not yet part of our world, so quotes were mailed, hand-delivered or faxed to our customers. Orders were mailed or faxed to our manufacturers. Today electronic technology facilitates every aspect of our business process. We expect the technology we use to continue to improve our efficiency and enhance our ability to delight our customers.
Technology is also revolutionizing most aspects of our personal lives. New cars, appliances and household items are made more efficient and convenient by sophisticated computer hardware and software programs. We receive news and communicate with each other via electronic devices that are always at our fingertips. The tools we use in our personal lives also continue to improve and make our lives more enjoyable and convenient.
While technology has great potential to improve our lives, it also brings risks to our physical health, our emotional well-being and our most important relationships. We’ve all heard tales of technology being either a symptom or a component of personal or relationship problems. Because technology can be fun, informative and helpful in our lives, we’re all susceptible to falling into unhealthy, inappropriate or even damaging use patterns.
Following is a partial list of symptoms or patterns that may indicate problematic technology use:
- Technology use has replaced activities you formerly enjoyed.
- You feel a need to hide technology use from those closest to you.
- You feel anxious when you are separated from technology.
- You feel depressed or isolated even in the midst of dozens of messages and social media posts.
- You check your phone for notifications even when you have no reason to do so.
- You use technology to avoid or hide from challenges in your most important relationships.
- You use anonymous identities to conceal your online activities.
- You sit down at the computer to complete a few simple, brief tasks, then look at the clock and find that two hours have passed in pointless browsing.
- You are experiencing technology-related health problems such as headaches, vision problems, or new pain in your back, shoulders, wrists or hands.
- You feel jealousy or envy when you read a friend’s happy news on Facebook.
- You have difficulty sleeping because your brain won’t turn off at bedtime.
Whether we have problems with technology misuse or not, I believe we can all benefit from setting appropriate boundaries and rules for our use of electronic tools and media. Here are a few suggestions:
- Develop self-awareness. This is a big topic and a lifelong quest for most of us. As we learn to become aware of behavior patterns that affect our health, mood and outlook, we can choose to make adjustments that will improve our well-being.
- Keep things in perspective. Most of the posts we see on social media highlight the high points and low points we all experience. Mundane daily life is rarely highlighted. Even our most glamorous friends live lives that are very average when the day-to-day details are known.
- If you become aware that a close friend is struggling, don’t let text messages be the only way you reach out. A phone call or a face-to-face visit will convey a higher level of support and concern. Don’t hesitate to ask your close friends to spend time with you when you are struggling.
- Set clear boundaries for use of technology. Some families don’t allow devices at the dinner table or after a certain time in the evening. Some people keep phones out of their bedrooms. Define some daily technology-free times and spaces.
- Make clear plans and set goals for use of technology. Complete your planned tasks then move on to other activities. Avoid aimless scrolling or browsing.
- Be truly present with those you love, especially your close friends, spouse/partner, and your children. Avoid interrupting personal conversations to send a text. Silence your phone or turn it off during times when those closest to you need your attention. Ask those who love you to extend the same courtesies to you.
- Take a tech-free weekend getaway or vacation, or designate an extended block of time to tech-free activities. If you’re going to be offline for an extended period of time, set your out-of-office auto-reply to inform those who might need to reach you of your status. Designate a backup contact if you have customers or vendors with critical contact needs.
- If technology has replaced previously-enjoyed hobbies, try returning to these hobbies. If you’re no longer able to participate in prior hobbies, try reading a book about a new topic or developing a new hobby. Make lifelong learning and improvement part of your personal credo.
- Don’t be afraid to seek professional counseling for emotional difficulties you are experiencing. Sometimes technology misuse is a symptom of deeper emotional or relationship problems. Talking with a mental health professional may help you understand and resolve buried challenges.
- Watch for symptoms of technology misuse in the lives of those closest to you, especially your children. Keep the lines of communication open and offer guidance with kindness and empathy.
- Be thoughtful and informed. Much of the information we consume from online sources is either false or contains strong biases. It’s easy to get thrown for a loop by something we read if we’re not careful and thoughtful.
- Enjoy this amazing time in the world’s history. We’re very fortunate to have easy access to abundant and helpful information and resources.
If you have other ideas or methods that you feel would be helpful to our team, feel free to share them in the comments section below. Happy geeking!