At a recent training with Human Resource professionals on Social Media Guidelines for the Workplace, the audience had some laughs over the statistic that worldwide, more people own cell phones than toothbrushes. Seriously. There are over 7.4 billion people in the world and an estimated 7 billion mobile phones, but only 3.5 billion own toothbrushes. (Weird fact!) In addition to the staggering accessibility through mobile devices, the next five years will see the continued rise of smart appliances, smart energy meters, wearable devices like glasses, contacts, watches and more. We will see self-driven, connected cars and smart healthcare devices.
This uber-connectedness comes with a price – especially for those in the U.S. who are likely to have as many as 10-12 connected devices per household of 4 people. I call it Infobesity, a term for information overload. Infobesity results in overwhelm and stress. It can include the fear of missing out when you don’t check the notifications on your phone frequently. It sometimes drags you into the comparison syndrome of thinking everyone but you is traveling and enjoying idyllic days with friends and family. Most assuredly, the hours we spend plugged in can stimulate our brains to the point we have trouble focusing.
It is no wonder so many feel unable to unplug when you consider what happens in an internet minute:
Thanks to Exceleacom.com for this insight into What Happens in an Internet Minute.
The secret to managing the flow of data in our lives is not much different than maintaining our health; it requires balance, moderation, and exercise.
1. Balance means taking time to unplug and defrag your brain. The Commander in Chief of the Universe came up with a plan when he created us – it’s called a day of rest. It is not a religious dogma- it’s a brilliant idea for recharging the spirit, soul and body.
2. Moderation means time blocking your priorities and filtering the flow of information. It’s hard to focus a frantic mind.
3. Exercise means physical activity. Physical exercise has everything to do with healthy brain function. It helps you concentrate, learn, lifts depression and reverses the detrimental effects of stress.
Consider this:
“The computer makes us fantastically more able to calculate and analyze.
It does not help us to meditate.
We have instruments to enable us to see everything from the nebulae to the neutron – everything except ourselves. We have immeasurably extended our gift of sight, but not of insight.
For that, we have the same equipment as the eighth-century prophets.
Potentially the same, but actually poorer, for while we have been busy extending one aspect of the knowing of telling self, we have allowed other aspects to atrophy.
We have built ourselves up into power transmitting stations but as receiving sets we are feeble.”
John V. Taylor penned those words back in the 70′s. And he thought the noise was deafening then!
Food for thought: What happens in your life and in your relationships is always going to be of more importance than what happens in an internet minute.