Surfing the net, as you do, up popped this BlackBerry definition ... an 'always connected' wireless solution providing emails on the go, text messaging service, internet connection etc. etc. - so says the blurb on these nifty little devices. For me, it's another ploy to keep me on task at my desk, (even if I am on the move) when I'd rather not be!
I have chosen my way of working, to break free from the magnetic field of the office desk, and the PC as much as I can. I would not want to deliberately strengthen any emotional bond to it!
If I wasn't already convinced, here's another quote to tempt me: "On average, BlackBerry users report they convert 60 minutes of downtime into productive time per day." - Ipos Reid 2007.
Now, I'm no philistine when it comes to using technology, but what exactly would 'downtime' be for me? I can see the uses of the BlackBerry when you are between executive flights, and delayed at check-in. But between school runs and stuck at the check-out at Tesco? - not really.
...and, let's face it, any downtime that I have (I prefer to call it "me" time) is relished, deserved and deliberate - and I would do anything not to have it interrupted with texts or technology.
Examples of things I put in this category would be walking the dog, or grooming the donkeys, or having the occasional coffee with a friend. Does hanging out the washing, or cooking kids teatime, or any other non-admin task, count as downtime too? (I wouldn't mind enhancing or deleting these particular activities!)
Does this strike a chord with any other self-employed people, especially those of you working from home? No doubt your normal working day extends way beyond the boundaries of nine to five, and like me, you'll be looking for ways to shorten, not extend active working hours. It will take more than a BlackBerry to do that. see what we do on www.dovefarm.co.uk
1 comment:
Having recently got a Nokia E61 (which is very similar in capabilities to a blackberry, ASCII keyboard, push email etc.), I found that always being online with emails was more trouble than it was worth. Easy to setup and use, I stopped it after a month because I couldn't easily reduce the amount of spam coming through. It's still a cracking phone though, and I find the benefits of a full keyboard make texting and note taking much easier than a normal phone.
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