Coming Back Online, Maintaining Balance
The Heavens, New Zealand - picture by LB in 2008.
As some of you may know, I have been traveling throughout the North Island in New Zealand with j3. This has provided me with some much needed rest and perspective. One of the biggest take-aways from this time off has been: I need to spend more time focusing on these three things (1) family, (2) health and (3) intellectual cultivation. That is not to say that I am not currently focused on these things, but rather, the amount of time it takes to maintain everything online and with my many jobs and professional commitments, these three things don't get my best energy.
I have read about this elsewhere in the blogosphere and the Twitterverse: folks just getting burnt out on the 'net. Similarly, working a full time job as well as contributing to a startup (j3) is also a challenge on all fronts,. And for all the things that I love about what a fast connection, entrepreneurism and social platforms afford me, my friends, my clients and others... It's time to get back to the basics, which will include a lot less 'net and new media related activities. Wait, wait... I am not leaving for good or anything. In fact, let me be a little more clear: I am not pulling my endorsement of the importance of things like Twitter and blogging and Wikipedia -- far from it. I am also not backing down from being entrepreneurial in all things I do... if anything, I have only just begun. Rather, I am just working to put it back into a larger context of my life/health, the lives of the people that matter to me (many of whom aren't mass consumers of the Internet's many gems) and the larger issues facing our world.
And the 'net, while an easy scapegoat, is not really the full-picture-problem. Rather, it is just an enabler of my love of learning about new (and old) things, helping people, connecting people, looking at shiny things, laughing out loud, participating in the system of innovation that our country fosters… the list goes on. But when I am on it all day and all night, checking phones and blackberries for alerts, not being present with people because of all the white noise and screens floating around... I have to say: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Breathe in, breathe out. Look up and around, there is more than this monitor.
Water Flows to the Pacific, NZ
Anyone else ever feel this way. I would say: "let's start a group about it" but I am more inclined to spend more time working these things through offline. Through movement. Walking, jogging, stretching. Thinking, reading hard copies of things. Even gazing down at my own shadow for contemplative reflecting.
Tall Boots, NZ
Do stay in touch. Let me know how your strive for balance works -- or doesn't. As a society, I believe we have all just begun to understand the power -- and the dangers -- of the online world. Nothing new or profound. Just truly felt to the core of my being as of late.
Comments:
Ann Bernard - June 15th, 2008 at 3:34 pm: I’m glad to hear you took time off and you’ve decided to “slow down” a little. I think realizing that you don’t need to be constantly online/ on the web is very healthy. I hear you and feel exactly the same. Hope to see you again soon and we can talk about having more balanced lives!!
Andre Blackman - June 16th, 2008 at 12:02 am: This just absolutely jazzed me up – I had a similar (second) epiphany this past weekend. One thing that I cannot emphasize enough is that just because these new tools have become available to us, doesn’t change our basic needs in life. It doesn’t magically change the problems that we as a society are still facing. We still need to dig deep and maintain a grounded nature so that we can move forward in accomplishing the things that really matter. Probably even more important to strive for in this new landscape.
It actually warmed my heart to read these words because it has been something that I noticed was just under the surface for you and really happy this trip brought it to the top level. I think a new “movement” may begin soon in which we wake up and realize how we need to approach each and every day of our lives with purpose. Welcome to the end of striving for|productivity| and the beginning of integrated and long term LIFE ACTIVITY.
Herbert - June 16th, 2008 at 12:28 am: I’m happy that you had such a wonderful time in New Zealand (I have to admit I’m a bit envious – I’ve always wanted to visit there).
I completely get what you’re talking about re: ‘net overload & burnout. I have been struggling to put my life back in balance for sometime now, yet as I get more and more conscious of how out of balance it is getting in my commitments and priorities and information overload (what I’m working on writing about right now). But at the same time, I feel like everything in my life is speeding up (especially now that my health is getting better and I’m trying to catch up on all the living I missed) and pulling me along with a riptide’s energy without breathing space, leaving me to wonder if I will be pulled under.
Sorry, tiredness leads me to strange metaphors. But you get the idea.
Can’t wait to see you tomorrow! ::hugs::
Victoria Pickering - June 16th, 2008 at 2:50 am: Leslie -You’re absolutely right to define and focus on your priorities, and let the new tools be used to support those priorities rather than as an end in themselves.
I think the internet and social media, like any disruptive technology, takes the work/life balance over the top at first but will eventually become a more integrated aspect of life – especially as the cultural norms in using the new tools shift to reflect the reality of the limited time and energy we all have available.
Best wishes in continuing to figure out what is the right balance for you and how to achieve it.Mijae - June 18th, 2008 at 2:53 pm: Hi Leslie – such great thoughts! I will chime in and say that I have been through a similar realization, being guilty of loving all things online for personal and professional reasons. This is a balance I still strive to strike even as someone “working for self.” I think, ultimately, what makes you such a great presence online is the core values you bring to it as Leslie Bradshaw the person I can look in the eye and speak to face to face. As we have all experienced in one way or another, I think a lot of people use the Internet and its various tools to create an identity and voice completely different from their physical presence in real life, many times for very good reasons. What makes someone like you an especially compelling person to connect with via online is that you let this wonderful self come through in your voice. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and welcome back!
Leslie (me) - June 19th, 2008 at 5:04 am: I am so touched by the kind words here from @Ann, @Andre, @Herbert, @Victoria and @Minjae. Similarly, @Nicola, @mom and @Melanie all reached out via phone, email and Twitter to share in the revelations and reflections. A few responses to the wonderful comments posted here…
@Ann: Balance is not only desirable, but it is sustainable. While not sleeping and not talking with my lil sis is not viable, to say the least :-/
@Andre: Life Activity. I am feeling this phrase and super glad you also had the epiphany while at Blog Potomac (which I was bummed to have missed, but was peaceful on a “life activity” hike in NZ that day and knew you all were holding it down back in DC)
@Herbert: I mix metaphors all the time. One of the many reasons I heart you. I find that after a full night’s rest I think I can go without sleeping again… wrong! I need to refer back to this post, follow my own recipe and those who have also posted to this effect and strive for that balance.
@Victoria: Disruptive indeed. And addictive. And tempting. Things like IM, Twitter, general searching and Wikipedia can keep me occupied for days. There is something soothing about getting lost in the Internet; I would also say that it is as useful as it is a black hole for your time. That is when the priorities need to ring-through.
@Minjae: I am touched you think of me in those terms, the kind of thing one would only hope for on a headstone, thank you It is interesting to see the emergence of the authentic and genuine online, in the face of years of anonymity (a hot topic at SXSW08, among other places). To paraphrase the great @GaryVee of Wine Library TV: ‘Everything is online. Your Social Security Number might still be sacred, but not likely. You better start owning your brand and your story before someone else does.’
Thank you to everyone once again and let’s all get some good life activity in this weekend. A jog, a Pampered Chef party, some reading and a train ride with NMS colleagues up to NYC for Personal Democracy Forum. Looking forward to meaningful dialog at PDF, seeing good friends in person and walking around in New York with a good Betsey Johnson or two on.
Author’s notes:
Originally posted on my WordPress blog, which was taken over by link farms and has all sorts of weird link backs to pharmacy without prescription messages. Here it is in all its glory: here (< headline is not mine - ugh). [June 15, 2008]
Comments ported over from my old WordPress blog. They make me smile big. The good ol’ days!
