Dr Jim Taylor recently wrote and article called Psychology of Technology: 5 Smartphone Rules to Live By which caused some discussion on 247 regarding how we use our smartphones, and if they can cause problems maintaining a healthy work / life balance. Dr Jim makes some very good points and does eloquently explain the dangers of smartphone usage, but I think this ignores the fact that the human behind the machine has full control over what they do with a device and how often they use it.
Smartphones were also described as a weapon which employers can use to make employees work longer hours and to a point I agree with this, but again it comes down to human behaviour and the culture of the employer issuing the phones. A smartphone is the same as a PC, a normal mobile phone or any other works implement to me and the way it is used is most important.
I have been through the scenario of over-organising myself to the point that I could not physically be more organised. The problem was that it meant that I never felt as though I was on top of things and at one point a few years ago things got on top of me. I blamed my PDAs and felt that they added to the problem, but the solution was to sort myself out and not the tools I was using. The help I received made a huge difference and I now use these tools when I need to; some days it may be every 20 minutes and on others only once or twice throughout the day. My work phone stays off at weekends and I compartmentalise as much as I can. You can only plan ahead within reason and need to let the things around you just happen. Being able to respond to an email the moment it hits my phone is no way near as dangerous as using these tools to plan every detail of your life for the days ahead. I can clear work much quicker with a smartphone than I can without it- I am not dependant on it (cough), but do recognise the life / work benefits it can bring to me.
The person is ‘always’ the problem and a badly stressed out individual should not blame his tools, he should get help.
