chrisbrogan.com - Latest Comments in Be Realistic About Time

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Carol Deckert — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:18:16 -0000

Hi Chris, what an excellent and timely article. One of my networking clients and I were discussing this topic just this week. Before so many people were working online, obviously they worked somewhere, somehow but offline and when evenings arrived, some as late as 6 pm or when weekends arrived, no one expected anyone to do anything but spend time at home and with family and friends. Clients "waited" until the next morning or Monday morning, if that's the case. When did everything go crazy and we now feel pressured to instanteous replies? Will you world, as you know it, cease to exist if someone does not reply to you immediately, overnight or over the weekend? I think not. We, as entrepreneurs, as online marketers, as offline entrepreneurs have to reclaim our personal space and time. Although the world is changing and the economy is tough, without personal downtime, you would not be able to survive long. Now, I believe, it is important, more than ever, to make sure to "schedule non-working time" and treat it the same as a business appointment. Our lives may be healthier, our families may be healthier and overall we may become happier and more contented people.

Thanks Chris for introducing this timely topic!
Carol Deckert, Networking Coach
http://twitter.com/caroldec...
http://www.runlancaster.com...

Re: Be Realistic About Time

chris — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:01:00 -0000

It will take time ... it happens with the arrival of all new technologies ... we are obsessed for sometime and then we get used to ...

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Christian — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:27:56 -0000

I've learned that those with unrealistic expectations are not going to end up being good to work with anyway. It's kind of like getting negative comments on your blog. Just let em be. You can't make everyone happy. The way to address the issue is to set up systems of follow up that make sense to you and are sustainable by you and your team. From there, just be consistent. That's it.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Daniel — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:15:48 -0000

I love the potential that social media has to connect, inform, and democratize. But at the same time, I worry about whether we're equipped to live (and respond) at machine-speed; More importantly, I worry about what I will lose if I try.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

brea — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:19:51 -0000

i was just talking about this yesterday! it makes me not want to reply to people when they write two annoying emails in a row.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Lauren Gaulin — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:49:31 -0000

Hi Chris!

I really respect this post not so much for the business aspect. As I am a student, I really don't have that much to do with this, but I really respect that you understand that we should not all have to be tied down to our laptops and cell phones and checking twitter every 5 seconds. There's more to life! While these technologies are wonderful, and highly beneficial we cannot and should not base our lives around them. I really appreciate that you are bringing attention to this and hope others understand as well!
Props to you!

-@lgaulin

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Raul — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:05:11 -0000

Chris, I read your entry and am astounded at the fact you already have over 80 comments. Yes, the online world has sped up things! Your entry reminds me of an observation made by a colleague who resided in developing countries over 20 yrs before moving back to the States (though he would visit the US occasionally). His comment was how much the country had sped up during his "absence". His line of work is relief and development. For ex, he had worked in relief and rehabilitation with the tsunami a few years ago. Though he had very strong views on how poorly the US had done with Katrina he also noted how Americans' expectations on return to normalcy were so unrealistic given what he knows about what it takes to rehabilitate an area after massive disaster. He really was shocked at the "speed expectations" in the current American mind. If we explore what the root causes may be, certainly the rise of the online world stands out as a strong possibility matching his absence here (and living in a world where online wasn't as prevalent as here). Thanks for the thought-provoking entry.
rap584 in Twitter

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Beatriz Alemar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:07:46 -0000

Chris,

I know the feeling. I feel like I need to be constantly connected. My Outlook at the office constantly stays open. I can remote connect from my laptop at home. I check facebook a good number of times per day. Twitter now too. I feel like everything that comes into my inbox needs constant attention. Nothing feels like it can wait - from clients to coworkers to supervisors - we now live in a world that works in real-time now. There is no "downtime" anymore. Being off the grid is a very strange (and guilty) feeling.

I went on a week vacation during these past holidays. I checked my e-mail once when I got there and once in the airport on the way back. Not by choice mind you; the resort I stayed at did not have wireless. I learned to adapt. I was surprised at how quickly I adapted to the absence of internet. As the week passed, I only thought about it a few times. But, as I grew closer to reentering society, I started getting "cravings." I enjoyed being off the grid, but I far more enjoyed being reconnected.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Rusty Speidel — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:47:51 -0000

Also, the work product tends to be crap when turnaround is that fast. Who has time to think first. or check their work, or make sure they got it right?

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Kirk Harney — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:41:45 -0000

It can get rude. I was in my insurance agent's office the other night, BUYING SOMETHING FROM HIM, and he took a text message on his BB/iPhone and responded while I waited. To me, it's about priorities and manners. He should have given me his attention, not gotten distracted by his device. I understand the pull to respond right away, but we need to keep our perspective.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Shira — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:42:44 -0000

This post made me think about my current situation which is NYer living and working in Frankfurt, Germany. I am starting to think the Germans (and most Europeans) got it right. There are very few BBs here and I am not expected to check my email if I am on vacation or once I leave the office. I am still adjusting and find it odd, but it is actually nice that your time is actually yours for a chance. I work for a huge global marketing firm and we are the international hub and everything still gets done on time! It is crazy! (well they think I am little crazy because I do use twitter and they are still not convinced it is worthwhile)

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Paul Chaney — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:01:00 -0000

Sanity has to prevail or else we'll all run around like chickens with our heads cutoff. Technology, which should be our slave, has become our master. Shades of I,Robot and Hal 9000. High-time to say "stop the madness!" Thanks Chris.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Brian — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:07:06 -0000

Uhhh.. Did you get my email yet??

Sure, I haven't hit send, but you should have gotten back to me already!

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Elizabeth Marshall — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:56:10 -0000

Well said, Chris. And, kudos to bringing up a topic that many seem to be thinking about (but not discussing) in this public forum.

Although the pace of communication is certainly something for us to consider, I think it's the expectation part that really sets us up for a variety of unintended consequences. For example, Don Miguel Ruiz's talks about the importance of not making assumptions in his powerful book, The Four Agreements. Because of the lightening pace of communication, we as a collective seem to "assume" that our email/DM didn't go through, that the recipient must be ignoring us, or that "there must be something wrong" if we don't get a response in the time that we assume to be "normal."

As a result of those individual and collective expectations, it's only inevitable that our minds will come up with all sorts of reasons as to why we don't have a response - most of which are not accurate or even remotely true. Yet, as a result of those assumptions, we err on the side of pushy, demanding and sometimes obnoxious behavior just to pacify those fears or worries that come up when we assume or wonder why we haven't received a response.

As a willing participant in the Twitter-verse and online reality, I am sure I've been guilty of this. Hey, I am not perfect - nor is anyone else online. But, I do think the lack of awareness about how unrealistic our expectations can be might set the stage for damaged relationships and reputations if we don't tweak our expectations and give people the benefit of the doubt.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Eric — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:52:25 -0000

This sure is a lively discussion. I think we need to stop and use some common sense though. Anyone ever tried not to reply to email? They will eventually just stop if you ignore them. Just have to be selective. As for texting and twittering; try ringing you neigbours door bell 15 times a day and see if you can get away with it without being smacked over the head. All just common sense. You are not as irreplacable and important as you think either. Other people can actually make decisions without you, but not if you keep twittering them back ;-)

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Not THAT Rob Thomas — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:42:05 -0000

GREAT POST CHRIS. You have helped me realize the same in your article. I am going to "slow it". I have often wanted to unplug because of this but all I really need to do is assert control.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Kurt Greenbaum — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:01:52 -0000

Wow, this is a great topic. I'm guilty of doing it myself. And you're right. We're all moving too darned fast. This makes me think of that Mark Twain anecdote about how he had the phone installed for his convenience, not that of other people. In other words, he answered it when he wanted to, and used it to make calls. He was as reachable as he wanted to be. Also comes to mind from @J. M. Strother's comment about the Blackberry. I love my PDA -- but I love it because it lets me manage my time and take care of work in the margins of my day -- so I don't have as much waiting for me when I'm back in the office.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

FRWFNC — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:52:12 -0000

@ChrisBrogan We have to face that there will never be an Internet Etiquette Regulatory Commission. Based on that we all need to set up the appropriate boundaries and let them be known rather than bemoaning how intrusive the world has become (which happened only because we voluntarily invited them in, which in and of itself, is our fault).

We all need to figure out what works and tell folks. Don't expect them to listen though, that's just how the world works. Any expectation of the masses suddenly turning respectful of each other's time is polly-annish.

As for me I am open from 9 am - 5 pm EST M-F for all types of interaction. After 5 pm there will be intermittent response based on what my family is up to.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Nicholas Chase — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:23:26 -0000

Chris,

Considering how little 'productivity returns' we get from time spent with email, twitter, Facebook etc an enormous amount of time is wasted that could be put to better use.

Yes, Twitter has placed my gentle helpful message in front of influential people, who have responded with free passes to trade shows and potential profits down the line, but I still have to get off my backside and execute!

I enjoy reading all of the success stories of people including yourself, but those are precisely that, your success stories! I need to get out there and create a success story of my own.

Whether PPC, CPA, CPM, CPA, blogging for dollars, or writing articles for pay, it all boils down to output, output, output on a consistent basis and for an extended period of time. Have I felt like quitting, sure, a few times during the day when I pause from activities to just let my mind wander on how the 'internet lifestyle' may one day be mine.

Truthfully, wearing all of the hats in an online company requires so much time and maintenance that I just collapse in a heap after 14 hours of work. If I had sufficient know-how to make a quick buck, i still would not persue that path as my reputation means more to me than a few dollars.

One day I will meet you again, and hopefully have a success story to tell, if not, no tears from me, I gave it my best shot until the unemployment checks ran out.

Respectfully,

Nicholas Chase
www.twitter.com/nachase

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Craig — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:10:25 -0000

With the increase in technology and the fast paced world we live in today, people expect responses right away. No longer waiting, because waiting can slow them down, it's tough, but that's the world we live in today.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

TStrump — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:23:15 -0000

I think we all need to slow down a bit plus there are too many social media sites to keep track of!
I've lost count of the different ways I keep contact with people.
I remember the old days (before I even had a cell) when I would leave a message on someone's voice mail and they would call me back and do the same.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Manori Money — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:43:10 -0000

I agree, we have to set our own boudries, so people can learn and respect them.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Katie Morse — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:29:58 -0000

BRAVO! My personal rule for both sending and acting on received correspondence is to give the person (or myself) 48 hours to respond. I do my best to respond in less than 48 hours, but if it's not possible I will pick up the phone or send another form of communication to let them know their message is on my radar and give a more appropriate timeframe to expect a response.

In the case of sending communications, I make the assumption that the person I'm trying to reach is busy, and does in fact have priorities outside of my own communication.

One of my customers (internal) in a previous role would regularly send me an e-mail, then an IM to make sure the e-mail delivered. If I didn't respond immediately to either of those I could expect a phone call on my office line, followed by my cell if I didn't pick my office line up in time.

Being on 5-7 hours of conference calls/day (on average) meant that much of my work was done after normal business hours, and my working hours responses were limited to items I could easily knock out, or didn't require me to jump off the phone to chase someone down.

It never affected my quality or timing of work, but it did affect my frustration levels when an e-mail would arrive - instant stress.

To me, the time "crunch" comes down to respect. I respect my colleages and business contacts enough to know they are wonderfully brilliant people, who becuase of that brilliance are very pressed for time. It may not be that simple to everyone else I'm around, but it is for me.

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Lisa Jenkins — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:12:58 -0000

I like the tethered interface, but sometimes feel like the technology is managing me instead of the other way around. Lately, I've made a conscious effort to extend a "work week" response time expectation to any query I send. If I send it on a Saturday, I don't look a response until Monday; and I try to allow for a 24hr gap during the week. If I receive a more prompt reply - WOOT for me!

Re: Be Realistic About Time

Sam Butler — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:10:34 -0000

I work around the clock, on many holidays, etc, but I try to balance. The 'Cat and the Cradle' song / meme is one that goes through my head. Funny that Laurie mentioned it above. :) My hobbies & interests are neglected these days. It's either work, or my kid. But that's the choice I make.

And I agree whole heartedly rjleaman: if what you do is very timely (like a biz where minutes of downtime could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or worse), and involves clients or customers in other timezones, then that's just the nature of the beast. But giving yourself downtime becomes more important. If you aren't working on anything urgent, take some time off. Go to a park. (Sure, take your laptop, but don't open it.) For me, I won't check my e-mails. I keep an ear out for calls or txts, but that's it. I don't go out looking for work; it will still be there when I get back.

Speaking of which, I need to go get ready for lunch with my daughter. Unplugging..... now! :)