Talking More, Doing Less?

Talking More, Doing Less?

It occurred to me recently that it may be that the increasing ability to talk to anyone anywhere at any time is making us less efficient rather than more efficient.

A simple example might be in the area of grocery shopping. In the "old days" when I went to the grocery store, I made a shopping list before going and read it over quickly before going in the store. Sometimes, at that point, I would remember something else and scribble it down on the list.

As I went through the store, it might have been that I thought of something else. Maybe I couldn't quite remember whether I had the item, whether it was something I really needed or might need in the near future. I didn't have the ability to pull a mobile phone out of my pocket while pulling my cart over to the side of the aisle and dial home to see if there was someone there to help me out. Now, of course, my phone will help me find someone wherever they are and leave a message if necessary. Then I can walk down the aisle hoping to get a phone call to help me out of my dilemma. Maybe it will come and maybe it won't.

But I have spent some time and minutes on the phone as well as ambling down the aisle waiting for help. In the "old days", I would have had to make a decision while I was in the store and I would have moved on. I might have decided to be a little more thorough with making that list so I would not have to wonder if I had left something out or not. That experience, in turn, would have helped me use my time better.

People often say now that life has gotten more complicated. Perhaps so. But the constant ability to contact people can enable us to waste time, put off decisions and be less efficient than we used to be.

Any thoughts and comments can be sent to liz@survivinghighsociety.com.