Have you heard this one? That text tone that makes the sound of a whistle? The first time I heard it, I turned around. I was in a public space and truly thought someone needed my attention. A friend, a security guard; I didn’t know who — only that it sounded important. Now, I am almost accustomed to the sound. My brain recognizes it as someone else’s cue for, “hey you, pay attention.”
How distracted our world has become. There are bells, whistles and cues for everything, especially our electronic devices. It is nice to feel needed, relevant and important. Yet quite often, what is clamoring for our attention is far from needed, relevant and important.
What is great about the bells, whistles and cues is that we can control them. We can make a unique ringtone for our significant other and family members. We can use VIP or other categories for the same people in our email system. The use of the “do not disturb” function allows us to say just whom and what can disturb our work, sleep or play.
Most email falls into the category of need to know and are not “need to know right this very minute and please respond.” Establishing a policy of responding to emails within a certain time frame, say 24 hours, gives you the flexibility to address emails once, twice or at most, three times a day.
Does the idea of checking your email only a couple of times per day alarm you? It alarms most that I work with. What if someone needs an answer immediately? We have devices for that – the telephone or two feet walking down the hall to your office.
Does that sound dramatic or old-fashioned? Consider the implications of the alternative. If you are constantly alert to email, how can you be focused on what you are doing? You would need to be checking or listening for your email in a client meeting. It would require you to pay attention to your smartphone while watching your child’s performance in a play. Oh, that is what you are doing now? Let me ask, just how overwhelmed and too busy are you feeling about your life?
This is a tough area for the majority of the population. However, if you want to regain control of your life and business, email is the first place to start. Let me share a passage with you from Stephen R. Covey’s fantastic book, “First Things First,” about the addiction to urgency:
The Addictive Experience
- Creates predictable, reliable sensations
- Becomes the primary focus and absorbs attention
- Temporarily eradicates pain and other negative sensations
- Provides artificial sense of self-worth, power, control, security, intimacy, accomplishment
- Exacerbates the problems and feelings it is sought to remedy
- Worsens functioning, creates loss of relationships
Did you hear that? It was the whistle again, calling for your attention and for good reason. If the thought of stopping your email habit gives you the shakes, a common symptom of withdrawal from an addiction, then reach out for support at 713-705-3815. If you have beaten the email habit, I would love to hear how you did it. Share here and you can help someone else.