Unplugged

Tags

Disconnected, Social Media, the benefit of disconnecting, The value of unplugging, Unplugged

Limited Connectivity

I took a vacation last week, and I deliberately unplugged.  I checked Twitter once (okay maybe twice), posted one tweet, scanned my daily news summary from Summify on one occasion, but I did not log on to Linked In, did not view my RSS feed or Flipboard.  I didn’t “pin” anything, or, horror of horrors, check my work e-mail.

Guess what?  I’m still here.  I don’t feel any ill effects.  So far, I am not suffering any negative consequences.  No one has contacted me in a panic, pointedly asking “Where have you been?”  I have more than a sneaking suspicion that no one even noticed my absence.

And the Result?

I feel great.  I am rested, recharged and raring to go.

Getting back in to the swing of social media is fun.  I’m enjoying diving into my channels, rediscovering valued sources, reacquainting myself with my connections and re-immersing myself in the data stream.  It’s almost like it’s new again.  And I think that’s important, that feeling of “hey this is great – I really missed it”.

Taking a vacation from something is a good thing.  It allows you to create distance and develop perspective.  You come back fresh, and, possibly better, because you’ve experienced the absence, and, consciously or sub-consciously, have made the decision to return, acknowledging the value it offers.

The opportunity to take a hiatus from the constant bombardment that social media may sometimes become can help you develop more discipline about your usage and help make you more productive.  I’m sorry, but checking e-mail while sitting on the throne is carrying multitasking a little too far (and talking on your mobile while there is just downright rude).  Everyone needs boundaries.

It’s all about creating reasonable expectations.

Everyone is entitled to vacation.  In case you’ve forgotten, the definition of vacation is: a respite or a time of respite from something; a scheduled period during which activity is suspended, or, a period of exemption from work granted to an employee; a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation.

Human beings need time to rest, relax and recharge.  I’ve read a number of articles recently that talk about how we are less focused, more prone to procrastination, perhaps even less efficient, because we are juggling too many things and facing too many distractions.

I’m advocating unplugging at regular intervals and for an extended period of time — stay calm, we can talk days here —  in order to give ourselves a well deserved break, but also in order to show we can be away with few, to no important consequences.  This could help us understand the need to develop an important discipline where immediacy is not a driver.  And the benefits of having guidelines and boundaries that may prevent an unhealthy obsession.

I believe we will be just as informed, just as connected, equally involved but better.  Better because we’re engaged and enjoying the experience, so we can give and get value.  Sort of like the old adage, “Quality over quantity”.

P.S.   So what did I miss?

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“Women Make Up Just 10% of OECD Boardrooms” – Why We Need to See these Headlines Again and Again

Tags

gender inequality, women and social media, women in the boardroom, women's issues

I came across an article the last week with the headline, “Women make up just 10% of OECD boardrooms”.  And I thought to myself — not another one!

At which point I  immediately felt guilty and horrified with myself because the thought that had skittered so fleetingly through my mind was actually “Not another article about inequality”.

Though the principal emotion I experienced was disappointment, I have to admit there was also a smidgen of exasperation.  This is what made me feel completely guilty  — that this disloyal attitude could have crossed my mind and that I, even just for a moment, was capable of betraying my fellow women by minimizing an important issue that I have been personally championing all of my life.  I felt bad, because items like this usually make me completely irate.

As penance, and because I truly do believe this is an issue of critical import, I am going to explain why you will continue to see articles of this nature and why this is such a very good thing.

The first step in addressing any issue is in acknowledging it exists. 

In order for something to become important enough to matter and be addressed, people have to realize or admit there is a problem.  Think of the Toyota mass automobile recall due to the accelerator pedal sticking to the floor mat, or the (fairly) recent conclusion that coronary disease affects women as seriously as men.  It’s the reason why Alcoholics Anonymous meetings famously start with each participant introducing themselves with, “My name is ____ and I am an alcoholic”.

The second step is to create a critical level of awareness.

The second is to ensure the people most affected/impacted by the issue are aware of the problem.  In the case of Toyota, it was key management and senior decision-makers who needed to be aware there was a serious defect that needed to be fixed.  In regards to women’s heart disease, it was the medical community, health organizations and government that needed to be educated and sensitized to the issue of heart disease in women.

With an issue as broad and as prevalent as women not being accorded the same opportunities as men despite education, ability and talent, both of these steps take multiple and repeated exposure.  Continued and frequent publicity helps bring widespread awareness:  to individuals, to industries and organizations, and, to society as a whole.

A Question of Legitimacy

Building awareness serves to bring attention, attract the interested, the affected and their sympathizers.  The attention validates and legitimizes the issue, which starts to build momentum as an authentic cause.

That bloggers, journalists, media outlets and organizations continue to bring forward perspectives on women in the workforce and the inequities there, are signs that the matter is important and of high interest.  It indicates that we are not alone, there is widespread support, and critically, credence that there is a problem and that it must be addressed.

Ever the optimist!

I am optimistic that social medial will be a huge boon to help women gain the respect, credibility and positions they deserve.

That awareness will continue to build and the result will be improved opportunities for women.

Women are very effectively using social media.  We are exchanging information, engaging followers, educating, sensitizing and influencing.

Women’s generally collaborative style and preference for inclusion make us excellent at networking.

The increased visibility provided by social media will help showcase the talents and capabilities of women.

With social media, we can be there for each other like never before.  Barriers of distance, discipline, geography and demographics and more are, for the most part, eliminated.

Since women have equal opportunity to achieve the same education as men and to develop the same skills, the stumbling block becomes opportunity and access.  I believe that social media can only improve both.