Phone Calls in the Shower... And Then Some?

by Anthony Weaver

I subscribe to the And Then Some Philosophy: Give more, get more, want more from life.  I interpret this as do the best you can, be a good person, and be available when you can.  Being available all the time is hard to negotiate with all of our new technology.  I'm referring to the 24/7 relationship we all have with our new technology whether your hooked to social networks, texting, phone calls to your cell phone or home phone... and then some.  Whatever you're hooked to...

How do you turn off your 24/7 relationship with technology when you're busy?

Personally, I live my life by schedules and rules. Quoting Richard L. Weaver II, "Rules are the standards by which greatness is measured."  Knowing what is coming, or what is expected, creates room in my realm for "life" to create havoc, and in then end I can roll with the punches better.

I live by the And Then Some philosophy and I also know it can be taken too far.  I want to be available for everyone, all the time, 24/7... but that's not possible for any human being.  Babies are crying, clients are calling, the dishes still aren't done, laundry needs some work, husbands need a good pet, wives need recognition and love... This is life, so why do we answer the phone when we are busy?

In the last couple months I've called people who I wish had never answered the phone.  No one should be admonished for making a phone call when it's at an inappropriate time.  In my case, I usually want to ask a couple of questions so I understand what's going on and where I step next.  If my questions and ideas are sound, then I can regurgitate the information through another system if the phone call conversation isn't available. No one is available all the time.

Do I expect you to answer the phone?

NO!

No one should be asked to answer the phone if you're busy driving and negotiating traffic, using major power tools that could cut off your thumb, trying to get your groove on, taking a shower... And Then Some!  We can only do our best and it's our soap opera. We can only know our friends/business schedule so much... The goal is to simply try and do our best.  Our rules, our schedule, and what's appropriate for our lives.

So what do I do when I need to turn everything off and focus on what's important?

I made rules for myself that work for my situation.

1. I take phone calls when I can.  If I can't... I don't answer.  Leave a message.
2. I will answer your text when when I can.  I'm not trying to be rude. 
3. I will text you if I can or email the question/idea if I can't get hold of you.
4. If it's an emergency... don't worry.  I will make sure know.

Most people truly hate the idea of rules.  I live by rules.  Honestly folks, when I know the rules, my life gets a lot easier, and more fun ensues!

Make your own rules... And Then Some!

Does this make sense?