Seeking More High Touch To Balance Our High Tech
Last week at this time, we were first learning about the heartbreaking violence committed against innocent children and their teachers. This horrific news follows other terrible stories of carnage that have occurred during the past several weeks. What a season of joy and peace it has been!
In last week’s blog, we explored the issue of balancing our business responsibilities with our personal core values. This latest concentration of sorrowful news makes me wonder how many of us make time to revisit our personal values and beliefs. Is there anything we believe that is absolutely right or wrong? On what are we basing decisions? Is our increasing dependence on technology affecting our ability to live in accordance with our values? Is that dependence disabling our sensitivity to one another and the genuine need we have to connect personally with others in our lives?
In his 1980s book Megatrends, John Naisbitt described a trend called “High Tech-High Touch.” He foretold how our dependence on technology would continue to grow in coming years, causing a counterbalancing human response of seeking more personal contact. John wrote:
“The great lesson we must learn is to balance the material wonders of technology with the spiritual demands of our human nature.”
Technology is addicting, and the search for balance requires awareness that we may be sacrificing our need for human interaction to the readily available self-absorption available through our personal technology. We are continuously interacting with our phones and IPADs. To some, a conversation with a real person can feel like an interruption in their texts, tweets or games. Some folks believe that their Facebook connections are real relationships.
In business and in our personal lives, our relationships with others are the foundation of fulfillment and success. Let’s get our heads up and let our eyes see those around us. Let’s make it a priority to engage others, meeting with family, friends, customers and associates. Let’s recall that its people working with people that get things done, and that technology is just a tool to empower our interactions.
There is still time to find joy in this holiday season. Spend more time sharing yourself with others.
How long has it been since you revisited your core values?
How are you balancing your relationships and your technology?
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you all!
