Don't Let Your Head Explode

In real estate, personal computing, and life in general we all seem to be operating on complete information overload. If you think about it, the amount of flow of information continues to increase. Do you ever feel

        "MY HEAD CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE AND MIGHT EXPLODE?"

I have felt that way, but I am getting over it lately. I am learning better to roll with multi-tasking.

I can stay almost perpetually connected anywhere, anytime to information via wireless connections and various communication and computing devices that can connect to those waves in the air. I sometimes think this is good for editing, creating, deleting emails, blogs, and all sorts of communication.

I still find the phone the best to reach out and "really" touch someone even though if you encounter voice mail and leave a polite, clearly worded and brief voice mail with your number TWICE, no one seems to return your call anyway. You have to call them back. This is cause THEY are so busy!

The fast twenty something texters around me amaze me. I can text on a PDA keyboard with two thumbs but I think many grew up with this and are very fast at this craft from so much practice.

I do disconnect at dinners, at fitness centers, at runs through the park, at movie theaters, and most important of all in my "moments" one on one with YOU. If you called me on the phone I don't care if email was popping up all around me and another phone was ringing, I would ignore all of them to be with you. You definitely need to do this in "person." Remember to very much live in the present and "be" with the one right in front of you.

Another tip is to make your vehicle a quiet oasis phone booth. Pull off the road rather than driving and then talk on the phone or use your laptop with the air conditioner running. This is such a helpful hint that has worked for me in staying out in the field. The parking the vehicle is critical cause you can concentrate better and it is the safe thing to do.

The world of information overload I am afraid is here to stay with us forevermore in this future we have created for ourselves, but we have to live in the present. Don't let the multi-tasking drive you crazy or make your head explode. People are still the most important. Give them your time. Give them some undivided attention. You can't hug them hanging on to your laptop. Do not have your cell phone go off at the Mexican restaurant while they are talking to you at lunch. That's what they made the silent mode for. Give them your love.

And don't forget the power of the phone in addition to your face to face meetings. A "short" message to someone goes a long way to letting others know you are still in the loop of their world. Give yourself permission to be unplugged as well. Life will go on. Trust me. People will appreciate YOU being there "fully" for THEM.