Today, many professionals are expected to be plugged in at all times.  Who sets these expectations?  In some cases, it's the workplace.  In many others, however, we set those expectations.

For example, in a recent job, I didn't have a blackberry.  None of my colleagues did.  My first coworker to get a company-issued blackberry had to fight for it.  Multiple proposals, value propositions, the works.  After several attempts, one stuck. We celebrated her victory.

What did my coworker win?

From a pros perspective, she won:
1. The convenience of having data about her meetings, projects and contacts at her fingertips
2. The ability to keep things moving on important projects when she was out of the office
3. A company-funded tool to keep in touch with contacts and browse the internet

From a cons perspective, she won:
1. The expectation, from her boss and colleagues, that she was reachable at all times
2. The pressure to stay on top of incoming communications as they arrive - on the sender/caller's schedule
3. The extension of the work environment from the workplace to everyplace, which leads to:
4. The dissolution of boundaries between work time and personal time

As we learn from positive psychology (see earlier post on happiness at work), taking breaks from work is what enables us to transform bad stress into good stress. 

This transformation is critical to our creativity, ability to learn, and ultimately to our happiness.


One might say that the inappropriate use of technology can be a handicap.

To illustrate, I watched a man step off a bus in Boston's financial district last week.  His head was tilted to the side, with his shoulder raised to meet his ear.  He held packages in both his hands; his gait was halting and awkward as he struggled to propel his body toward his destination.

When I first saw that man, I assumed he was handicapped.  But as I looked closer, I saw that he held a phone between his shoulder and his ear. 

Upon further thought, I realized this man was indeed handicapped.  He was so bound by his need to stay in touch, that he risked personal injury to complete it.

We've all heard stories of the blackberry-bound partner.  The one who sends emails in bed, who responds to emails and phone calls at the dinner table, who risks the lives of others by typing while driving.  And it's likely that many of us have occasionally engaged in those behaviors.  And that's okay.

The key is to do your best - for your sake and for the sake of your work - to minimize the time when you are plugged in.  Because as tempting as it is to stay in touch, you'll be a better employee and a happier person for insisting on your freedom.

And that happiness makes it all worthwhile.