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For whatever reason, when we get a new boost in productivity, whether that be
from a tool, technology or technique...we quickly forget how much more efficient
it's made us. It's human nature. It's like the commuter who gets angry about how
bad traffic is, but forgets what a pain it was to wait for the bus. Or the cell
phone user who complains about a bad connection, and forgets about the days when
he had to fish for spare change to make a call from a pay phone.
It's much the same with technology.
If your plan for your online business is in a long term one, there's no getting
around it: You will have to find a way to overcome the frustrations you will
have with technology. It's inevitable.
Here are some simple tips for dealing with the frustration
Slow down.
Let's start with an analogy: When you're driving a car at 100 miles per hour,
a small thing like a bumblebee hitting the windshield can cause you to lose
control and crash. How does this translate to online frustration?
When you're straining your systems and technology to work faster and better
for you, the smallest technical glitch can have a bigger impact on your performance
than seems logical. That's because you are pushing for "more, faster and
better" in the first place.
The solution is to slow down. What this means for you as a carbon-based being
is: take a stretch break, breathe a couple deep breaths and generally loosen
up. Lighten your grip on the intensity you are trying to sustain, both for yourself
and your systems.
Concretely, this may mean taking care of your email just a little bit slower.
Typing not quite as fast. Or giving yourself an extra hour to set up your new
audio recorder. The extra time spent is worth it if it means you don't have
to clean up a tangle later. This may seem counterproductive, but it gives your
tools time to do their work for you. Sometimes you have to slow down to get
to your destination sooner.
Change channels.
Online frustration is something most people experience from time to time, and
this includes your suppliers or contractors. If you have a virtual assistant,
you likely know this first hand. The next time you, a colleague or assistant
experiences frustration with technology, suggest they "change channels".
This means exactly what you think it means, that is, switch tasks.
If your technology is acting up, try switching to an activity that comes naturally
to you before going back to solve the problem. There's no point forcing something
to work when it is resisting you. Go where the energy is flowing by changing
channels.
"Remember when."
Yes, a little reminiscing can be the perfect medicine when you're struggling
with technology. As you try to set up your email account for the 12th time,
consider the fact that just 10 years ago, thousands of small business owners
did not have email, and did all their correspondence by mail, telephone or fax.
Do you remember your "mail inbox" in the last office you worked in?
How about letter openers, overflowing voicemail boxes or wet sponges to seal
piles of envelopes? Remember when we used to get paper cuts on a regular basis?
With the increasing growth of the personal development movement in the last
10 years, many of us have learned to become more self-aware and handle anger,
frustration and other strong emotions with techniques such as meditation, journaling
or even prayer.
But because the Internet is a new-ish modality, sometimes we forget to apply
these relaxation techniques to handle "cyber" stress. The next time
you have the technology blues, stop. Don't struggle. Instead, become child-like
-- slow down and enjoy, play awhile, and laugh a little about the wonder of
it all.
About the Author:
Andrea J. Lee coaches entrepreneurs and online business owners. As Thomas J.
Leonard's General Manager, she helped build and manage the largest network and
trainer of personal and business coaches in the world. Now the CEO of Andrea
J. Lee Group of Companies, she writes, speaks and consults on Marketing, Internet
and Business systems. For more helpful tips, visit www.39lessons.com |
