Tension and Technology
It started with a pain in the base of my neck... and then my neck started to tighten. I felt a tension, like a wrench tightening a bolt and limiting the range of motion. I lowered my head, hoping to stretch my neck muscles to lessen the pressure. I then felt heat, and an itchy sensation on my side. A bite that I received from some unknown critter months before--perhaps a spider or insect--was now reanimated and irritating my side. The area was red and splotchy.
I was supporting my husband at a racing event and had anticipated being able to continue my work which keeps me on the phone for most of the day. As we continued on our travels I counted the voice mails... one, two, three, six, ten... I was not concerned. "I'll be able to call them back when we arrive at our destination," I thought to myself. But when we arrived, there was no cell phone reception... NONE... ANYWHERE. I wouldn't be able to return the calls as I had anticipated. It was a Thursday and we were not scheduled to be home until Sunday.
I was having a panic attack. My BlackBerry was an extension of my body and now, it no longer worked. No texting, no talking, no e-mailing... I was not coping well.
I broke down... hot tears streamed down my face.
This was not healthy.
There was Wi-Fi at the house we had rented and a land line. I was able to check my voice mails from the land line and e-mail all of the people that had called me to let them know I would not be able to speak to them until Monday.
I felt better. I felt a release.
I did not want people to think poorly of my company by being unresponsive. More importantly I did not want them thinking poorly of ME.
First impressions are huge, in my opinion. Returning the phone calls in a timely manner meant the people on the other end of the line would know I was responsible, receptive, attentive, caring...
I was concerned with how I would be perceived. I felt judged by people I had never even met.
I went for a walk and enjoyed the fresh mountain air. I needed some time to think...
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