Instant Gratification Communications

Instant Gratification Communications

When it comes to efficiency and getting things done readily, unscheduled calls, SMS, and chat are the worst. Have you ever been on a roll only to have your train of thought interrupted by something? It took so long to start that roll. Our brains were not designed for multitasking, and constant interruptions tire them out. Phone calls, chats, and texts are all examples of instant-gratification communication. We feel compelled to reply right away. And frequently, the answer can wait. It's unrealistic. The expectations of these forms are interesting because neither party is always available. So why do we constantly expect others to be immediately available? What do I recommend in its place? I'm not saying you shouldn't use these forms. However, I advise using them in addition to time management for each party. Schedule a phone call if you will need both parties to be present physically and mentally. I believe that for text and chat, I lean more toward email or establishing boundaries for those types of messages. Even though it's different when you're talking to friends or family, there is definitely a stigma attached to needing a quick answer at work. Don't get me wrong; I prefer chatting with larger companies, but those are staffed full-time, around-the-clock, so nobody is interrupted. Sometimes, when emails are missed, I'll use texts instead. But it's hard to keep track of the topics and stay on topic when using those communication methods. Overall, if you want to get things done efficiently, it's usually best to plan some of these instant communications ahead of time.    

    • Related Articles

    • The mind is a terrible thing to waste with multitasking

      Multitasking is unhealthy. I like to think of myself as efficient. When I'm focusing on something related to what I'm doing, I'm productive. I like to think I'm quick to respond and solve problems. For example, surfing through project-related ...

    • Priorities and Technical Organization

      We're all busy in some form or another, and we all handle our days in specific ways. The question is, are you prioritizing and organizing in the most efficient manner? I want to share some tools, techniques, and behaviors that can help you in the ...

    • Be efficient at getting help

      Asking for help is easy, isn't it? You just come out and say what you're asking about, don't you? Well yes and no. While this article is tailored to asking for technical help, some aspects may apply in other fields. Do your research. By this, I mean ...

    • CyberSecurity Basics - Decreasing your Attack Surface

      Here are some quick tips to stay safer when connected on the inter webs. Use Strong Passwords This is a very common thing you'll hear. Use a strong password. What makes a strong password though? Minimum of 8 characters 1 Capital 1 Lowercase 1 Special ...

    • 6 Reasons to use Gmail over any other provider

      Integration with a ton of different applications, because Google. Google Search and Google Now If you have an Android and you activate Google Now, it becomes your personal assistant based on your location, showing you hot spots around you, articles ...