Communication

Nowadays, we all seem to have too many demands on our time.  It doesn't matter who you talk to, everyone says the same thing, "there isn't enough time to get everything done."  The computer was supposed to make life easier, but now with all the different ways to communicate, everyone wants their answer right away.

I know that we have had to set our mobile devices to automatically turn off at night and on in the morning, otherwise we would be woken up in the middle of the night by the notification of new messages.  Also, setting which accounts notify us of new messages has also made managing messages a little easier.  The other practice we have is if we are in meetings we are only notified when specific accounts get messages and this is done by setting our notification to silent mode, so it only vibrates.  Yes, we have more than one account that goes to our mobile device.

Being able to take some time away from constant contact can be so rewarding.  I think people understand that sometimes answers aren't going to be immediate no matter how hard they try.

Have you ever got a phone call from someone right after they have sent you can email?  Normally the call is a repeat of the email or a request for an answer immediately.  These normally are the emails that require some research before an answer can be given.

It is important to remember that one means of communication can fail, so if it is URGENT to communicate with someone, ensure you try to communicate with them in more than one method.  Emails sometimes don't get through due to technical issues same as texting or instant messages or the person is in an area with low or no reception.  So remember, if it's urgent, try multiple methods of communication.

So before I have everyone yelling, remember how we communicate before email and cell phones.  It did take a bit longer to get an answer, but we survived.

Make sure that you sometimes take a little bit of a break from being constantly reachable.  Everyone needs a break every once in a while, so respect others when they take a bit longer to reply to a message.  We don't know everyone's total schedule, so understand you aren't going to get immediate responses each time you send out some communication.


Modern communication has made things easier in a lot of ways because we can get the message anywhere, but remember we still need time to get other things done.  So maybe one day we won't be saying, "there isn't enough time to get everything done."  Until that time, understand the demands on everyone's time and remember you're not the only one asking for their attention.

A New Office

Today was the start of a new challenge for me, and one that I know that I am going to enjoy.  I have always tried to write wherever I am, but sometimes it is hard to focus when there are too many other things happening around me, including distractions.

As part of our business, we decided it was time to set up a small executive office and have a place to call our own, besides home.  Today we worked on getting everything set up, and now I am sitting at a desk in an office where I should be able to do more and more writing.

I am looking forward to seeing what I will be able to accomplish here in a nice, relaxing, and quiet environment.  I know the next couple of weeks aren't going to be as productive as I would like, but at least I know I have a place to go to when I need to escape home. 

I know that it is going to be different getting up some mornings and instead of heading into where I sit at home and do some of my work, I will get onto a bus and head into our office where I can focus on what needs to get done instead of what happens to get done that day.

Now to wrap up for today and see what lies ahead tomorrow.  I know that things are going to be different, but I must admit, having a clean desk is so nice.  Maybe now, instead of juggling too many things, I will be able to juggle less and accomplish more.

Sitting in a Muskoka Chair

Sitting and watching the world go by at a lower pace.  It is amazing that once you are in a small town everything seems to change, the pace is slower, the air is cleaner, and people take time to stop and say hello even to perfect strangers.

The chair I am sitting in is a "Muskoka chair" and there is something about these chairs that is so different.  Maybe it's most of them are made of wood, or maybe it's the chair seems to hug you and lets you relax.  An excellent spot to use a muskoka chair is where you can sit and watch life go on around you, but preferably facing a lake.

Sitting and overlooking a lake gives you the opportunity to slow down and even dream.  There is something about seeing a muskoka chair by the water, it is so welcoming and inviting.  Curl up in a muskoka chair and let your mind drift as it may, and enjoy the feeling.

My dream time in the chair is over for today, but I will return to one of these chairs soon.

Sound of a train whistle

Off in the distance I can hear a train whistle and it sounds so welcoming.  I wonder where the train is heading and where it's coming from.

Taking a train instead of another mode of transportation can be such a change.  It may not be any faster than driving, but it gives you a chance to relax and see things differently.  A train can sometimes take you through areas where there isn't a road close by, and other times you will be right beside a road.

Trains have been around for years, and it is amazing how many people have never taken a train other than their community trains, such as Go Transit or TTC.  A train will get you to small towns and communities where commercial flights don't go, and show you a different view of things.

I have taken a train between cities, and I found it so relaxing, and it gives you time to think, work or recharge.  Listening to the sounds of the train can also be a soothing sound.

The whistle blows again in the distance, and now it fades away.  An adventure is happening for someone and someone else may be left behind only to see the train fade away in the distance.

Running in the rain

Children seem to have so much fun playing in the rain.  Why, when an adult is running through puddles and laughing, do other adults look shocked and/or displeased?

This is something that has always amazed me, and it recently happened to me.  We were out, and it started to rain while we were in a store.  Yes, I could have maybe waited under an overhang to see if the rain let up or stopped, but what's the fun in that.  What is a little bit of rain when it's hot out.  So, instead of waiting like others were doing, we decided to run to the car.  Running through the parking lot and splashing through puddles made me start laughing as it brought back wonderful memories.   Of course, everyone that saw us running either looked displeased or shocked, but it was fun.

Being able to find joys in the simple things in life can add so much joy to your life.  So, maybe, the next time it rains, and it's warm out, run through some puddles for fun.  Who cares what the other people's reactions, and know at least you are having some simple fun.

Blogging and why I do it

Blogging is a method of expressing yourself while also sharing your thoughts/activities with others.  Some individuals put everything out on a blog, while others put just highlights of specific activities.

A blog can also be used as a method of getting feedback from others on ideas for articles or stories.  If you are going to use a blog in this manner, you must be prepared for both positive and negative feedback.

Blogging can also help in resolving writer's block, as it's a means of getting ideas documented and available for future use.  A blog can be a public method of tracking ideas which can be easily accessed no matter where an individual is, as internet access is all that is required to retrieve information.  Looking back through even a personal blog can spark ideas and bring back memories.

One thing I see people forgetting is that once they post something on the internet, it's available for everyone to see.  Some memories are best to be documented privately and not through blogs, as they will be around for years to come.  An example of this is writing about a child and their activities, as this information will be available when this child grows up, and would they really want the embarrassing stories/activities known by everyone.

Blogging can be a great method of sharing information, but it's important to think about what you are posting.  A blog if on the internet can be available to search engines, so it can be found by anyone, not just by those who follow you.

To Do Lists

How many of us have the "To-Do List" that we look at from time to time.  If your list is anything like mine is, it just keeps growing.  My list gets some items marked off, but then more items get added, sot the list never goes away.

Sometimes I think I should have a bunch of different lists to help me see I am getting things accomplished.  Maybe the lists should be:  today, this week, soon, at some point, possible future items and dreams.  Maybe splitting things out like this would help me feel that I am truly getting things done.

If I had a To-Do for just today, maybe I would see results while the other lists could grow.  I know, in perfect time management, you make your to-do list for your work day late in the day before.  I find in IT we write up a to-do list the day before only to have it totally destroyed the next day due to issue that need our immediate attention.  Maybe in real life a weekly to-do list is the best because then you can concentrate on getting things done but still have some structure to your week.

A To-Do List is supposed to assist you in accomplishing things, not adding additional stress to your life.  As both an IT and a non-IT professional, I need to be flexible to meet the different demands on my time, but also get things off my to-do list.