I Hate My BlackBerry (Droid, I Phone...) or Am I an Instrument of Efficiency

I’ve just finished watching a commercial for a new Droid phone (you can put another name in its place).  Am I to believe I can be more efficient and more effective by answering emails IN THE MIDDLE OF A MEETING? 

I have so many issues with the commercial and what it attempts to sell I want to SCREAM! Let’s start with:

1.       Simple respect – to take a call or answer an email during a meeting or presentation is just rude.  Have we forgotten manners?

2.       Listening – by taking your attention from the meeting and the issue being discussed you CANNOT be listening.  If you are not listening, how can you be engaged?

3.       Distraction – if you think answering a call or answering an email is not distracting to others, you are kidding yourself.  If you are their distraction, how can they be listening?

4.        Focusing – what is your definition?  Clearly, it is different than mine.

What I believe is we are not more efficient or effective with all this technology around us.  How many times a day while working on a project do you read and answer new “urgent” emails as they arrive?  How many times a day do you answer your mobile phone when it rings to take an “urgent” call from a friend or significant other?  How often do you stop what you are doing to sneak a peek at your Facebook account or personal email? 

HOW MUCH IS YOUR INATTENTION AND DISTACTED TIME WORTH IN DOLLARS AND CENTS?

Let me be clear, technology has helped make me be better but most of us have let it take control of us because we BELIEVE we are being more efficient and effective. 

IT’S TIME TO TAKE CONTROL BACK, IT’S TIME TO REMEMBER “LESS IS MORE”

1.       Leave the devices behind.  Respect the people in the meeting.  Their time is valuable too.

2.       Pay attention and listen.  If it’s that important someone will interrupt the meeting and believe me, IT’S NOT THAT IMPORTANT.

3.       Set an example.  If you pay attention and listen you cannot be the distraction.  Others will follow your example.

4.       My definition of focus is simple, being able to understand, ask pertinent questions, challenge where appropriate and come to a conclusion or decision. Finishing the task at hand.

It’s about doing one thing at a time and doing it to the best of your ability.  Put away the ________ (you fill in the blank) where appropriate.  Listen, focus on what is right in front of you and become THE Instrument of Efficiency.