The Illusion of Urgency
Ever notice what executives do on an airplane? As soon as the airplane touches down on the runway, their smart phones shoot out of their holsters as if they’re in a deadly duel. Ferociously, they check emails and listen to voicemails as if the fate of the nation depends on their responsiveness.
Indeed, we’ve adapted quite well to a technology that’s been pervasive for less than two decades.
You’re probably familiar with CrackBerry addictions. The ring or vibration of an incoming message triggers an immediate need to respond. It’s so conditioned that it has become an involuntary Pavlovian response.
In understanding the nature of the human mind, this new phenomenon is not surprising. The mind craves movement and activity. It loves the “new” and the “latest.”
The mind constantly tracks movement. Try sitting in an airport without gazing up at the TV monitors. You might have no interest in what’s on, but your eyes will find their way to the screen. In fact, if you sit down in an empty auditorium with a four-inch monitor on stage, your eyes will stay fixated on the motion within the tiny monitor.
This innate drive for activity helps explain our obsession with responding to the ongoing stream of text messages and emails.
Realize that you don’t have to respond to an email or text right away. It’ll be there when you’re ready to read and thoughtfully respond to it. The same goes for snail mail. Do you feel compelled to open your mail as soon as you walk through the door? Is that really the most opportune time to do so?
When you are more aware of your mind’s compulsive need for new activity, you’re less likely to fall into its trap.
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Could not agree more! Fantastic article, Scott.