We’ve noticed the increase in news stories discussing concerns about the use of what we call nanosecond technology, including Facebook, Twitter, and the like. Recent stories have cited the harm caused by teen texting (New York Times, May 26), about checking email twice daily (”The Womenomics Guide To Email Etiquette,” HuffPo 5/21, Claire Shipman and Katty Kay), and the numbers of members dropping off FACEBOOK, service, citing “childishness.” And does anyone need to see the picture of Demi Moore’s missing tooth on Twitter? Honestly, does that matter?

Because Repotting is the opposite of Twitter, Facebook and other forms of nanosecond technology, we’ve known and have been saying for years that these time-savers can (and have) become time-consumers that distract us as we scan, manage, and respond to the ever-growing number of emails, texts and Tweets. Multi-tasking and staying connected 24/7 has been elevated to a new art form we call “toxic connectivity,” where we react without thinking, as if programmed, to every tweet, blackberry vibration, or cell phone ringtone. Who’s in charge here – the technology or us?

As we speak at repotting seminars, the impact of technology on the quality and content of life appears to be topic #1 on the minds of many women and men. Repotting is about finding a more meaning and fulfilling life, no matter what your circumstances. It’s a process requiring thought, reflection, analysis and a no boundaries mind-set toward change. We encourage the use of the Internet and other innovative technologies as one of many tools to assist you in transforming your life. But to repot, you have to be proactive and your own life’s gardener. And while Twitter can play a useful role in political movements or emergencies, skimming the surface of your life in 140 words will not help you reach your desired repotting goal. It’s only by digging deep to do the spade work–to contemplate the change you want to make in your life, to identify the facts and information you need to change, and to connect the life you live with your core values–that will help you succeed.

To help keep us in charge of our lives and our technology, we use the few simple “Repotting Rules for Technology”:

-Check emails at regular times of day-2 or 3 times a day. You pick the number and the time.
-No Blackberry, IPhone or other device during a meal.
-No Iphone or Blackberry in meetings, at social engagements, or at home during family time.
-Model good behavior for your children, spouse, family, friends or colleagues:
1-Pay attention, be present and listen.
2-Be safe – No phone, text, Blackberry, Twitter or other PDA in unsafe situations, especially, driving!

Diana and Ginger

This entry was posted on Friday, May 29th, 2009 at 6:21 pm and is filed under Repotting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.