I do believe that Technology can lead to more stress. Between e-mail, IM, my pager (alphanumeric two-way, my cell phone and the phone on my desk, there are so many ways I can be interrupted or pulled in different directions. Having said that, I think you have hit it on the head that one must learn to deal with (or as you said cope with) all the possible sorts of interruptions.
Life is a series of choices. I have choosen to leave my cell phone turned off unless I need to call someone or I am somewhere that I can be interrupted. I choose how quickly I answer a page. I try to only check my e-mail when I know I'll be able to deal with the requests and queries. While I won't tell my boss I'm too busy to talk to him, I have been known to say "no" to a request or ask if we can continue a discussion later. A favorite question "should be" 'which item can I drop off my plate in order to pick up the new one your pushing at me?'
When one learns and accepts new technologies, you must also learn how to deal with them. Following known and defined priorities is always a good decision.
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I do believe that Technology can lead to more stress. Between e-mail, IM, my pager (alphanumeric two-way, my cell phone and the phone on my desk, there are so many ways I can be interrupted or pulled in different directions. Having said that, I think you have hit it on the head that one must learn to deal with (or as you said cope with) all the possible sorts of interruptions.
Life is a series of choices. I have choosen to leave my cell phone turned off unless I need to call someone or I am somewhere that I can be interrupted. I choose how quickly I answer a page. I try to only check my e-mail when I know I'll be able to deal with the requests and queries. While I won't tell my boss I'm too busy to talk to him, I have been known to say "no" to a request or ask if we can continue a discussion later. A favorite question "should be" 'which item can I drop off my plate in order to pick up the new one your pushing at me?'
When one learns and accepts new technologies, you must also learn how to deal with them. Following known and defined priorities is always a good decision.