The online world has become such a staple in our daily lives hat many of us stay connected
even during the holidays.
It could be a habit or maybe a fear that we might miss something. Perhaps we work in fields of technology or social media or have to be ‘on call.’ Some may stay connected because it gives us peace of mind.
I asked folks on my social networks if they will be unplugging for the holidays. All but one person said no.
Mary Pratt, Business Development Consultant for The Patriot-News, said, “How could you possibly? I’d feel so out of touch.”
Many who work in an online field told me that unplugging is simply not an option. Scott Thomas, Owner of S.W. Thomas Consultants, Inc. said, “Not me, I’ll be working […] I am a 24/7/365 operation.”
Megan Barto, Internet Sales Director for Ciocca Honda, said, “NEVER!!!” William Duquet of INTEC said, “It’s not possible.”
I believe the reason we stay connected can encompass all of these things, but I do believe many feel like we are expected to be responsive 24/7. The economy is still inching toward recovery and customer service is a defining factor in customer satisfaction. Most customers are going online to fulfill orders, complain, or make requests that we feel need an immediate response.
Moreover, our Smartphone is always available and our volume of email is so large that many feel the need to constant check it in order to stay on top of everything.
If we’re not unplugging, are we burnt out because we feel like we can never escape work?
In Germany, Volkswagen made the decision to shut down workers’ Blackberry email service at night to protect non-exempt employees from spending 24-hours around the clock attached to their work email. The reasoning behind this decision is to create a better work-life balance.
I believe burn out depends on our purpose for being online, who we are and where our priorities lie. Some of us actually enjoy being online and use the connectedness to fulfill our social needs. Others of us are workaholics, by nature. The online world only upped the ante. If we’re prone to working a lot, I think we would feel burn out regardless.
I don’t think there is a right or wrong and I don’t think it’s black and white. It’s about being who we are and being comfortable with it. I sincerely hope family life doesn’t suffer because of the online world, but I still think it’s an individual choice. Helen Szollosy, Owner of LAFOLOT, said, “LIFE is a holiday … I like staying CONNECTED …It’s all in how you look at it…. what’s great is … we HAVE a CHOICE!”
Will you be unplugging for the holiday? Why or why not?
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December 25, 2011 1:36 am
I am still fairly new to the social media world and already I feel like I will not be able to unplug myself because hey look at me now it is 830 Christmas Eve and I am on the internet checking my email, Facebook, Twitter, reading this blog and posting a comment. I enjoy my work and do not look at it as a hassle. So unplugging for me is not something I even considered because I like to stay connected. My honey would say that I an nosy but I say that I an curious. Merry Christmas to all!
December 25, 2011 4:11 am
Thanks for chiming in, Amanda. Some of us actually do love our jobs so it doesn’t seem like ‘work.’ It all depends on how you look at it!!!
Merry Christmas!
December 26, 2011 7:12 am
Hi Rachel!
You know the interesting thing is that although I said that I probably wouldn’t unplug at all, I did end up managing to resist the urge to send updates yesterday. However, it didn’t stop me from at least reading other people’s updates.
I agree with your statement though that some people are just workaholics. That describes me to the T. Most of the time I work around the clock.
I think it’s a little different for me though because I don’t blog for a living, nor am I on social media for a living. It’s more of an intense hobby at this point. I think another reason that we feel the need to stay engaged is partially because we build communities online. So it’s kind of hard to disengage from your community. You want to know how people are doing and what they’re thinking through their posts, just as you would want to know how your neighbor is doing on the holidays. Just my two cents.
Christina
December 26, 2011 12:37 pm
GREAT point, Christina. You hit the nail on the head: “I think another reason that we feel the need to stay engaged is partially because we build communities online. So it’s kind of hard to disengage from your community.”
Our community is part of your family, albeit on online family… a family (or at least an extension of a family) nonetheless.
I am a workaholic and I work in the field of social media, but I still managed to stay unplugged for half the day on Christmas Eve and half the day on Christmas. I think there is a reasonable balance to everything in life and only you can be the judge!
Thanks for all your support and following!
Rachel