Yes, Virginia, It’s Possible To Be Too Connected
August 7th, 2008By Mistie Thompson
I work part-time for Standing Partnership, which (for me, at least) means I’m in the office two days a week reveling in my “adult” time working away and the other three days enjoying “mommy time” with my two little Princesses (yes, that is a deliberate and well-earned capital P). I keep my laptop open on my kitchen counter and glance at emails as I pass through during the day, just to stay up on the latest…and because I’m a bit obsessive that way.
Given my OCD, I thought it would be a great idea to update my cell phone to a snazzy little Smartphone. I had visions of being a multitasking queen - fire off an email while the Princesses hit the playground, catch up on my favorite blog while waiting for dance class to end, play on Facebook edit an important work document while hiding in the restroom hanging out with other moms during a playdate.
Are you laughing at me yet? Yeah, I totally deserve it.
You can imagine what happened next. I nearly broke my nose walking into a playground while texting someone. I missed the announcement about dance recital shoe color because I was reading a blog entry, thus causing what my family now refers to as the “Great Tap Shoe Meltdown of 2008.” And, I’m now looking for new playgroups but am finding them all mysteriously “full” - I think I’ve been blacklisted.
Here’s what I learned from this experience:
1) Verizon will kindly take back said Smartphone within 30 days with no hassles. (Love you, Verizon!)
2) Boundaries are a good thing.
Every one of my clients - and everyone at Standing - has my cell phone number. They can call me anytime, 24/7, and I’ll take the call. I’ve talked with clients while at home nursing babies, giving baths and participating in tea parties. But, do I really need to have email at my fingertips round the clock? Does it really help my clients to scan RSS feeds with one eye while keeping the other on the kiddos? Was I more productive with constant access to everything I need to work?
For me, the answer was no. In fact, I think I even got a little less productive, because I was trying to do everything at the same time - and doing none of it very well. My clients deserve all of my attention when I’m at work or when there’s a crisis, just as my family deserves all of my attention when I’m not at work or when they have a crisis - even if that “crisis” is a skinned knee or broken heart (we take “So You Think You Can Dance” very seriously around our house).
So, if you really need me - or if you know of a very forgiving playgroup willing to accept a mom with a slightly dented tiara and a busy cell phone - give me a call. I promise I’ll be there.
August 7th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Hilarious. I have thus far resisted the urge to “go Blackberry” for this very reason, although remain as connected as you do throughout the day (and the night, and the weekend). Thanks for the glimpse into your real working life and a reminder to all of us that ignoring boundaries can sometimes cause injury.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:23 am
I, too, had to laugh because I was in your shoes back in the dark ages. I was freelancing while my 2 kids were young…before cell phones, call waiting, computers, even before fax machines were readily available! I think I realized that if you love what you do, there really is no such thing as ‘part-time’. And looking back on it, I am grateful that my profession allowed me the opportunity to enjoy my kids without having to put my career on hold.
August 7th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Pat, I’m glad to hear that someone as successful as you are survived the same scenario! And yes, I am eternally grateful to Standing that they have allowed and enthusiastically support my part-time work - it’s a win-win for everyone!
August 8th, 2008 at 8:22 am
LOL! As one married to an iPhone geek, I totally know how the rest of the world feels around people ‘too connected,’ I heard a radio report on NPR about a woman who fell off a curb and caused a car accident while texting. I think you made a wise choice!