Shipulski On Design

Do I Pass?

Did real kid stuff with kids? Tuesday with my grandson (he’s 4). And another 4 or 5 times a year with the Boy Scout Troop (I’m still an assistant leader).

Got real dirt on your knees? Not counting the garden, Tuesday with my grandson. And another 4 or 5 times a year with the Boy Scout Troop, and sometimes dirt on my dinner plate as well.

Went for a walk, simply to walk? About 3 weeks ago (a “walk” is more than 2 miles)

Went outside and counted the stars? I’m an engineer. I estimated and taught my grandson how (about 2 weeks ago, been rainy & cloudy since then). He doesn’t quite “get it” yet but he flashes all 10 fingers twice and says “…more than this many!”

Shut your eyes and listened to birds? It’s been well over a month but a friend invited me this weekend (I’ll get a walk and look at the birds too!)

Spent seven days with just your spouse? It’s been WAY too long. We settle for 3 or 4 days at a time, 2 or 3 times a year.

Traveled to meet an old friend face-to-face? It’s been almost a year. I need to get on the phone and then call the airlines.

Sat quietly in your favorite spot for an hour? At least twice a week, without fail, just to recharge.

AND, I still enjoy my career. Go figure?

You always get me thinking.
Thanks Mike;
Doug

Actually I prefer to do my kid stuff without kids since they throw sand in my eyes.

I have actually made an effort to see old friends recently, and a couple of other items on your list as well.

I think your point is that we all suffer from a work/life balance issue, and I agree totally. This has been a recent topic of discussion with my team. We all have different opinions, but one was consistent:

The “smart phone” is a recent innovation that exacerbates the issue. How many times do we find ourselves in the presence of our family and friends, but focused on e-mail or text messages on our smartphone. How does it make you feel when you are on the receiving end of this? Certainly we have control over this, and it takes self control to “disconnect” from work.

Some of us have issues with our boss/company/customers/friends expecting instant feedback/follow-up to their communication. It is our job to change their expectations, but some of us have become so enraptured with instant communication that we resist.

Society has not come up with etiquette for this situation. So let’s write some:

(1)If someone interrupts your conversation and says “hold on while I take this call, or look at this text or e-mail” the correct response is to walk away!

(2) If your boss sends you an e-mail or text too far after hours or on the weekend, you are free to ignore it until the next work day.

(3) If you are spending time with your kids/ family/ friends- turn it off.

I am sure your readers have other ideas on “smartphone etiquette”.

In the end it comes down to competing interests for our time and attention. I am sure I don’t get this right too often, but I am trying to change!

Alan Hamilton