Comments on: 5 Technologies That Hurt Your Work Life Balance

By: Can Taking Your Work On Vacation Help Work Life Balance? | The Man Page

Can Taking Your Work On Vacation Help Work Life Balance? | The Man Page — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:25:45 +0000

[...] one needs to be careful as technology can hurt your work life balance just as easily as it can help. However, with proper moderation, you might find yourself returning [...]

By: 10 Ways To Make Time For Your Children | Dad Balance

10 Ways To Make Time For Your Children | Dad Balance — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:49:52 +0000

[...] can be a life saver – but it can also hamper your relationships. As I wrote about 5 technologies that hurt your work-life balance, you need to be conscious of not allowing technology to rule your [...]

By: Home Office Warrior » Home Office Warrior Blog Carnival #2

Home Office Warrior » Home Office Warrior Blog Carnival #2 — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:25:18 +0000

[...] 5 technologies that hurt your work life balance was provided by Dad Balance, one of the blogs in eMoms at Home network of blogs. However, I have to say, I would not give up any of the 5 whether it would help my work life balance or not. Nope, not happening. [...]

By: Derek Semmler

Derek Semmler — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:01:02 +0000

@Scott :: Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. You’re absolutely correct that setting boundaries is important.

@Damien :: Happy Anniversary! Hope you guys have a great weekend and enjoy your getaway!

By: In The Sphere: Lemons, Technology, and Super Mario Bros. | BlueFur.com

In The Sphere: Lemons, Technology, and Super Mario Bros. | BlueFur.com — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:42:56 +0000

[...] Semmler has been put up some gems at DadBalance and his great work continues this week hen he lists 5 technologies that hurt your work-life balance. I’ve obsessed repeatedly over finding a healthy life-work balance and I always thought that [...]

By: Damien

Damien — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:49:46 +0000

My wife and I are going to Vegas for a Teaching convention this weeknd (it’s also our 5th anniversary). We decided to bring the laptops but on the agreement that we will only use them when we are dog dead tired from doing the town and comedy club, I mean . . . if we’re gonna be on the laptops, why go to Vegas right?

By: Scott Couchenour

Scott Couchenour — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:58:57 +0000

Derek,

You are right on with your post. Technologies like these are like fire, which can warm us up when it’s cold and can cook the food we need. But it can also burn us and destroy our lives.

I believe it’s all a matter of being in control of the technology, not letting it control you. This means a healthy dose of boundary setting.

By: Derek Semmler

Derek Semmler — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:35:20 +0000

Jeff, don’t get me wrong – I think these technologies are a big reason why I have any semblance of balance. However, I was trying to convey the point that it is possible to have too much of a good thing.

When you are using the technology to stay connected to work at all times, you run the risk of physically being present with your family but not being “there” in the moment.

But like I mentioned at the end, without these technologies I wouldn’t be able to work from home and still be productive. Nor would I be able to be at the bus stop waiting for my kids or throwing the ball around with them before doing homework.

Thanks for the feedback!

By: jeff zbar

jeff zbar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:52:50 +0000

Ah, those technologies you say ‘hurt’ work-life balance, I would argue, enhance it. Without cell phones, BlackBerrys, laptops and email, I – for one – would be tethered permanently to my desk, even at those moments I’d like to shoot hoops with the kids or take a bike ride during working hours, or travel with the fam on an impromptu weekend getaway.

Balance, for me, comes from working a little here, playing a little there. And “here” and “there” often converge during otherwise “working” hours. My ability to take two hours off during a workday – and check my email with or forward calls to my BlackBerry – enable me to do it guilt-free.

Truth be told, I’m no slave to the home office. I take plenty of vacations and don’t think I’ve worked more than 35 hours a week in the past 15 years (AND I’m not a Frenchman who thinks even that’s too much . But when we travel, or even when it’s anyday, I’m up early working, or up late toiling, because I know I’ll take some time during the day to hang with the kids. Sure, my BB may be stuffed in my pocket. But it ain’t no grind on me.

As for IM, I wholeheartedly agree. That’s a bane on work-life balance.