Balancing Technology with Life: Part 1

Recently, my wife showed me a link she shared on Facebook. It was an article that appeared on the Washington Post’s website, entitled, “Exhaustion is Not a Status Symbol”. It was an interesting perspective on things that I’m sure we can all relate to, but it really didn’t offer any suggestions on how to improve your own life. If you’re interested in reading the article, you can do so by clicking here. While it’s true that technology has added to our exhaustion level by always being “plugged in” to the world, it has also allowed us to be more efficient than ever before. Part one of “Balancing Technology with Life” is directed at you Gmail and iPhone users. I know there are a lot of you out there We’ll look specifically at Google Calendar, setting reminders on an iPhone, and the Vacation Responder in Gmail. There’s a lot to cover here, so let’s work now, and relax later!

In my life, probably the biggest cause of stress (and exhaustion) is my schedule. Worrying about tasks not getting done, or not being aware of upcoming events is definitely mentally taxing. Let’s tackle the latter one first. You’re probably sick of hearing about Gmail and the apps that come with it, but they’re really excellent, and Gmail isn’t as popular as it is by accident. If you aren’t a Gmail user and would like to be, read “Time for a Change: New E-Mail Address” for all you need to know. Google Calendar is one of the better known apps that comes with a free Gmail account. If you use Google’s features at work, Google Calendar is also included. To unlock all that Google Calendar has to offer, head to a computer, and go to https://mail.google.com/. Sign in to your account, and look toward the top right of your screen. Click on the grid (nine squares) to display all of Google’s apps. Click on “Calendar”, and Google Calendar will open in a new tab. By default, you’ll see the entire week presented before you, with the current day highlighted. On the left, you’ll see a list of calendars under “My Calendar”. Click on your name, and your Google Calendar will be activated. To add a new event to your calendar, click the red “Create” button. A number of options will appear. You can give the event a name, set a start date and time, location, choose whether the event is recurring (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, etc.), as well as receive a reminder minutes, hours, days, or weeks in advance of the event. Minutes will probably suffice. When you’re finished editing, click the red “SAVE” button toward the top of the screen. By now you’ve probably said to yourself, “Self, why is this so important?” Because this calendar will sync with the Calendar app on your device. If you were to grab your iPhone and enter a date on your calendar, the event would appear on your “Home” calendar. This calendar only appears on your iPhone (it’s stored with iCloud). Conversely, if the event was included on the Google Calendar, any device you have a Gmail account set up on will sync automatically. It’s a load off your mind. To add an event to Google Calendar on your iPhone, click the “plus” sign, and scroll down to “Calendar”. Tap on “Home”, then tap your Gmail address under the “Gmail” heading. Your event will now appear on all devices. And, just like that, there’s one worry off your plate.

I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the more I need to be reminded about things. Sometimes I blame a few too many concussions I’ve had over the years, but it’s probably just the fact that I’m getting older. Whatever the reason, the “Reminders” app on my iPhone is a lifesaver. In my business, there are a lot of domain names that need to be renewed, and new computers that need to be purchased for clients. As soon as the need arises, I tap “Reminders” and erase that need from my mind. Give it a try. Go to Reminders, and click the “plus” sign to begin. Type “buy flowers for Mother’s Day” (I bet you wish I wrote this last week), and then tap the “i” to the right. You may then set an alarm or due date and time, set whether or not it’s recurring (yearly is helpful for the domain renewal example I gave), and set the priority. Do you always forget to buy milk at the grocery store? If you select “Remind me at a location”, enter a destination, and every time you’re at BJ’s your phone will tell you to buy milk. With technology like this, we guys almost don’t need wives!

Before I started Finish Line, I’d go on vacation and tune everything out. Things have changed for me in these last four years, as the e-mails just keep coming. There’s nothing worse than getting an e-mail saying someone’s computer is slow when you’re sitting on the beach. If only there was a Vacation Responder in Gmail so people would know I was away. Wait a second, there is! You too can enjoy this freedom by signing in to Gmail, and clicking the “gear” icon to the top and right of your inbox. Click “Settings”, and scroll down to the very bottom of the screen. You’ll see the heading, “Vacation responder”. To turn it on, simply click the radio button next to “Vacation responder on”. Click inside the “First day” box, and a calendar will appear. Click the date you’re looking to unplug, and do the same for the date you’re returning (if you wish). Type a “Subject” that will appear in the e-mail message, and then type the message you’d like people to read in the “Message” section. Click “Save Changes” below it, and the Vacation Responder will send the message you just created on the selected dates automatically when someone e-mails you. There’s no better feeling than clicking that “Save Changes” button, believe me!

We’re just getting started! Come back next week for Part Two of “Balancing Technology with Life”.

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