Take a Vacation ... From Technology

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In case you hadn't noticed, many people, these days, expect us to be accessible by cell phone and email virtually 24/7. And while it's important to be responsive to our clients, what's the cost of being tethered to technology day and night?

For some of us, it means that our personal life gets pushed aside in the name of business. Or it may mean that we feel stressed out or even burnt out. In fact, medical studies have found that being continually plugged in can significantly boost the levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, in our bodies, which can increase our risk for such conditions as high blood pressure and heart disease.

While many of the clients in my coaching practice are looking for a better work/life balance, when we begin exploring strategies for bringing their lives into better balance, the idea of unplugging, if even for a short while, seems virtually unfathomable, to some.

When I ask them how helpful it might be to set better boundaries around being plugged into technology, common reactions include:

That's impossible.
What if my clients need me?
If I'm not available, they'll hire another company.
What if there's an emergency and they can't reach me?

While I certainly understand their concerns, as I harbored similar fears years ago, it's my job to challenge their beliefs and assumptions, asking them such questions as how true is it that your client will hire Company B, instead, if you're not available 24/7?

Here are some other questions I pose to clients, which I'll ask you to consider, as well:

When you close your eyes and imagine yourself being unplugged, how do you feel? What's the first word or phrase that comes to mind that describes your emotional state?
What could you do if you had a little downtime, whether that's time away from the office or time at the office free of interruption (i.e., the ring of your cell phone, or a constant stream of text messages or emails)?
How can you be responsive to clients (and loved ones), while allowing yourself some time away from your favorite technology?

Many times people think of being plugged in as an all-or-nothing proposition. But I'm certainly not suggesting that you go cold turkey. Many clients find that even an hour or two of being unplugged can be oh so liberating. If they're away from the office, they can let go of their responsibilities more easily. And even if they're at work, they can relax more fully and be more focused on whatever they're involved in. That' s because they aren't anticipating a constant stream of interruptions.

Setting better boundaries around technology truly can work wonders. I remember one small business owner I worked with who really struggled with finding a better life/work balance so she could, as she put it, "get a life." For a few years, she did an amazing job of being responsive to clients by playing e-tag with them during most of her waking hours. While her clients were appreciative of her attentiveness, she often felt resentful and irritable at home.

Finally, she decided enough was enough. She needed to find a way to take control of her life. Although she was concerned about upsetting her customers, she finally decided to set some boundaries around being plugged in. She'd be available via Blackberry 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but after that she'd be off the clock, so to speak. To her surprise, her customers were fine with her "new hours," and the great news was that she had her life back, again!

So, if you're feeling resentful about being plugged in night and day, but believe that unplugging is out of the question, think again. I invite you to consider your options and decide what boundaries would work best for you, while still honoring your commitments to your clients. Because you truly DO have the power to take control of your personal life AND run a successful business.

Ellen H. Brown