Simple Balance Technology & Resources II
It’s a new week and time for another Simple Balance tip! I’ve always been a fairly early adapter to technology, so far as I can afford it. Our lives are so much different with the many available modes of communication today. Striking a balance between the time spent using it and the time saved using it can be more like a tightrope walk than a stroll down a bike path.
Today’s tip: Online communication benefits ands tips
It began with e-mail. And now we’ve become so accustomed to instant that all other forms of addresses are referred to as snail mail. It grew into instant messaging, chatting, bulletin boards, forums and blogging. There are ample ways to communicate at various levels. And if you’re reading my blog you’re already well accustomed to these as well as the woes of time spent on your computer chair. I don’t even check my phone for messages anymore - I check my e-mail!
Email is great. With one tool you can communicate, track and collect important information with others. Efficiency is streamlined as you eliminate distractions in conversation. On this note, if you’re not using Gmail you should be. It takes managing, accessing and organizing e-mail to the next level of efficiency. And if you’re not already using a feed reader to organize and track your favorite blogs you should be. Both of these tools make managing the influx of online communication both possible and easy.
Now, before you go beating yourself up about all the time you’re spending on e-mails and blogs remember this: these pastimes aren’t just hollow time fillers. By engaging in either or both you are recording your personal history and journaling your life and that’s one BIG check on the “most important things” list. A few years ago, I was kicking myself for not being more consistent with my journal writing when I realized that I have the most detailed and amazing journal/history in daily e-mails with my mom. I started to convert them into a document and was amazed at how much detail there was and I’ve never looked at my online correspondence the same way since. You can even use your e-mail to send yourself reminders, calendar items, etc. Just one more really positive, though less visible, benefit of time spent using it.
The downside of all this benefit is that making it easier to communicate with more people also means MORE time. E-mail groups and daily “checking” can turn into hours of activity in front of the computer. This can and will make you absolutely nuts if other things are slipping as a result. So what do we do?
First we prioritize. Just ask any busy mom, and you’ll quickly learn that we’ve found the value of maximizing daily naps and night time hours to get things done without a million interruptions. We have to. The kids can only watch Elmo re-runs so many times and even the Tivo has its limits. In fact, I often measure my computer time by the length of a movie or TV show my 4 year old is watching. Besides that there’s the need for food.
Second, we prepare. We do as much as we can before and between computer times. I can guarantee you I’ll be miserable within a few minutes if I’m sitting at my computer with dirty dishes in the sink, etc. So we stay up a few extra minutes after bed to straighten things up, clear a counter, sweep a floor, etc. Or we take a break and perform a quick straightening or once-over in that room that’s calling to us relentlessly. If you’re a blogger, one thing I’ve found most helpful is to save an article title in my dashboard whenever a topic or idea hits me. I may not have time to write it, but when I do get a minute I’m reminding of all those great ideas and I can continue instead of begin. When possible, I like to get tomorrow’s article up the night before. It makes me feel like I got a head start on the day and I feel less urgency about getting to it first thing.
Third, we live. Life doesn’t wait, kids don’t wait - only chores wait. Sometimes you just have to leave that article or computer project unfinished for the moment. You have to hit save and go buy the milk, go fix lunch or take the 4 year old to preschool. And sometimes the best jolt is to take a simple 5 minute break to play blocks, read a book, take them on a walk or push them on the swing. You’ll both feel renewed and satisfied. If we aren’t living we have nothing of value to communicate about.
Sincere and honest efforts are never wasted. You can’t put a value on the uplifting words from a friend or loved one just when you needed it. You can’t put a value on the self confidence boost when someone shares some link love or praises your efforts (more on this later.) So the next time you feel a little bogged down remember all the good things too. Take those breaks to do those pressing and little things that are bugging you and then sit with confidence in your online communication activities. Who knows where the connections you’re building will lead? Don’t you want to find out?
Technorati Tags:
Parenting Homemaker Sharing Organizing Positive Impact Inspiration Motherhood Housework Balance
Like this article? 
That balance is hard when you’re addicted to blogging
Great post.
Comment by Michelle — October 18, 2006 @ 9:16 pm
I feel like I’ve made so many online friends. However, I think I do need to start trying to find the balance between blogging and non-online activities. Wish me luck!
Comment by Kailani — October 19, 2006 @ 2:37 am
Balance, what’s that? I really need to work on those skills!
Comment by Vicky — October 19, 2006 @ 5:33 am
[…] This week’s Blog of the Week is Holly’s Corner - Make it a Masterpiece, written by Holly Schwendiman. The title of her latest post is ‘Simple Balance, Technology and Resources‘. […]
Pingback by Tangled Thread » Crafts and Time Balance — October 19, 2006 @ 5:43 am
Great post, Holly. Don’t we all need to find that balance!
Comment by Cathy — October 19, 2006 @ 5:50 am
The thing Holly’s keeping secret is how positive she is. Thanks for all of your support, Holly, Best of luck on all that you do, Linda
Comment by Therapy Doc — October 19, 2006 @ 9:06 am
Hi Holly
I have your link on my blog!
I hope I did it right!
Jayda
Comment by Jayda — October 19, 2006 @ 3:36 pm
Great Posting Holly!
Blessings, Kuanyin
Comment by Kuanyin — October 19, 2006 @ 3:50 pm
Holly:
I totally agree w/ you and everyone that we need to
keep that balance between our “online life” and our
“real life”. Our kids do grow up so fast, and our
parents get older every day. I LOVE your idea of
putting all your emails with your mom into one
archive document!!! Over the years I’ve written
so many heart-to-heart emails with my two sisters
(wish my parents know how to email too), and I’ve
saved all of them on my computer. Just never thought
of saving them as one document. Thanks so much for
this!
Warmly,
Hueina
http://nurture-me-coach.blogspot.com
http://echoes-of-cold-moon.blogspot.com
Comment by Hueina — October 19, 2006 @ 8:36 pm
This post really touched me! I’ve been too busy myself, lately….and realizing some of it is totally unecessary! Sometimes we have to do some realignments to get back on the right path!
Thanks for a great reminder of what’s important…and what can wait!
Comment by Nola Cooper — October 20, 2006 @ 6:56 am
This is a great post - and you’re touching on many of the issues I’m grappling with right now.
I see much of my online activity as personal growth and family direction, as well as a journal to keep for years to come. But being organized about it is imperative, or I’d be doomed;)
Love your simple balance posts.
Kelly
Comment by Pass the Torch — October 20, 2006 @ 10:07 am
I hope you don’t mind but I placed this particular post on my Fence Post Wisdom Sidebar. If you would like me to take it off just email me. No problem. I am here by way of Tasra Dawson’s site. I’m glad she sent me here…I plan on returning
Comment by Sissy B. — October 20, 2006 @ 1:23 pm
[…] Today I read Holly’s email communication advice and I’m determining to do better in this department: Now, before you go beating yourself up about all the time you’re spending on e-mails and blogs remember this: these pastimes aren’t just hollow time fillers. By engaging in either or both you are recording your personal history and journaling your life and that’s one BIG check on the “most important things” list. A few years ago, I was kicking myself for not being more consistent with my journal writing when I realized that I have the most detailed and amazing journal/history in daily e-mails with my mom. I started to convert them into a document and was amazed at how much detail there was and I’ve never looked at my online correspondence the same way since. You can even use your e-mail to send yourself reminders, calendar items, etc. Just one more really positive, though less visible, benefit of time spent using it. […]
Pingback by Practical Blogging » Blog Archive » How Do You Get It All Done? — October 20, 2006 @ 8:30 pm
Holly,
I’m not sure why my trackback didn’t show up, but here it is.
Karen
http://www.thriftymommy.com/mommy-sites-for-you/
Comment by Karen — October 21, 2006 @ 2:41 pm
Nice post. Thanks for the submission to the carnival of family life. I’m sure that everyone needs to hear some of this or will appreciate reading it (as a reminder). Thanks again. Look for the Carnival on Monday. Don’t forget to link to it.
Comment by Heather — October 21, 2006 @ 4:31 pm
Holly- This is my first day reading your blog, but I’ll definitely be back. Oddly enough, I wrote a general post–with similar threads of mindful time management in this age of technology and growing responsibilities.
Terrific writing!
CP
Thank you! I totally bragged to my hubby last night that an English major gave me a writing compliment! (I’ll have to share that story another day - LOL) I’m so glad you stopped in. Thanks for taking time to comment and for the wonderful boost!
Comment by Christina Paulsen — October 23, 2006 @ 11:33 am