Why does everything take so long?
Have you noticed that it now takes a lot longer to do anything? Even very simple things.
As I plan my day, I find that I must now move many items to the next day or the next week.
What is going on? Why is it so hard to accomplish anything? Why does it take so long to do anything?
Here are just a few reasons I've found. I'm sure you have others as well.
1 - Social media is a huge distraction. Once taken away from my work, it takes about 20 minutes to get back into the zone. If this happens several times a day - I am losing hours.
2 - Today, people are very selfish. They don't give any consideration to what the other person is going through. Instead, they email or call me up and demand my attention. Unplanned communications robs me of valuable focus time.
3 - Software is getting complicated. I tried to use a computer program this morning but had to wait an hour for it to install updates.
4 - Technical errors made by suppliers that we trust can result in a huge loss of time. The company that hosts some of my emails this week accidentally deleted all of my accounts. People cannot reach me by email. Instead, they get a message saying "This account does not exist". I must now track down all of my contacts and online services to provide an alternate email that is working. This will take days.
5 - Cyberattacks and scams are so common today, that they are affecting all of us. Another destruction of our carefully crafted schedules.
6 - Technology often does not work. My new cell phone behaves oddly, often freezing. Who knows why. I waste time shutting it off and turning it back on.
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7 - Fatigue! All of the issues I have outlined here can be tiring and discouraging. That, in and of itself, results in less energy. As a result, I run out of steam by 3pm, so nothing much gets done after that. A nap maybe.
8 - Stress is on the rise which translates into a lack of focus. That, in turn, results in a longer period of time to get anything done.
9 - Going through hoops and hurdles! If you have a technical problem or a medical issue and need to speak to several different experts, they will all ask you to repeat your situation over and over again.
10 - Standing in line, being on hold when calling a company, waiting in heavy traffic - all add to the loss of time.
Frankly, it is amazing that anything ever gets done. These days, when I have accomplished something - even if it's the smallest thing, like taking a badly needed walk outside to escape the chaos - I celebrate!
It feels so good to accomplish something in this world which seems hell bent on preventing us from getting anything done.
That little, annoying thing that you've been meaning to get to, but cannot ever seem to find the time...just do it right now.
And if the world is jumping out to stop you, do what it often does to you - put it on hold.
Dad | Writer | Marketer | Account Manager
4 个月Another terrific story! You have perfectly summarized and described the absurdity of modern life. I sometimes wonder where it will all lead (OK ... I often wonder that, if I'm being honest). Occasionally, I cannot help but wonder if the technology we use in modern life exists to support us or if we just work for the machines and software now. ??♂? I hope that doesn't sound like a victim mentality (I sure work hard not to operate from that place) ... more of an observation, really. I hope. ?? Thank you for sharing!
Project Director/Design Manager (CPEng, CMEngNZ, Int'l PE) : Infrastructure & Land Development
4 个月Thanks Cory. I love the way you sum it up so well with humour ??. If I may add a few points on today's environment due to technology advance : 1. Information overflow, too much that it takes time to get the right & pertinent ones. 2. Too fast a pace that one do not read things ( emails, minutes, report etc) carefully & jump into conclusions, most of the time wrongly & consequentially takes more time to reconcile or correct. 3. Loss of fundamental principles ( which were traditionally based on for correct decisions, designs etc) due to advance in computer programmes . These also generate heaps of "robots" in human...that human don't think anymore. That's precarious.
Partner at Arifin & Partners
4 个月I am glad to know I am not alone in this situation. I feel something is dragging me from behind, thus unable to accomplish much, and the days just zoom in & out so fast. Thank you Cory for highlighting some of the time stealers. What do I do? I time when ppl come into my room unannounced (yea I know it sounds bad), but that's the only way to manage my time & time stealers.
Vice President of Finance/Controller specializing in small to medium-sized companies
4 个月Amazing how all of the things that you mention deal with technology which is supposed to alleviate stress and lessen the time it takes to do things...ironic.
Associate Trainee with World Financial Group (WFG)/Transamerica
4 个月The chatbots are useless if you ask me, they are not able to solve specific issues a customer may have. Social media is a big distraction nowadays, yes scams are definitely on the rise. I have so many tabs open on my laptop thinking I will read them when I find the time. If something is not working, I stop obsessing over it too much and then later on it gets resolved at the appropriate time. Patience is hard to practice. Many things tend to break down all at once to test our patience and resilience. Exercise helps me a lot. As long as I have got my sweaty workout for the day, I feel more prepared to handle the obstacles and challenges in my path.