How often do you tune out and turn off technology?

While you all “live” online, conducting your business and connecting with others, it’s important to be able to disconnect and be in the present moment as this is where real memories are made.  Granted, your digital presence is essential to creating the online experience for your customers, colleagues and network, but there are times when you should be truly present in the real world experiencing all that it has to offer. There are no do overs or scrolling back through posts and articles to see what you missed.

I was gifted with an incredible visit from my dad and his girlfriend for 6 whole days. It was their first visit since my move to North Carolina almost 5 years ago. As a virtual assistant with a few secret weapons and a VA of my own, I managed the fundamentals, scheduled client work and planned way in advance, enabling me to step away and thoroughly enjoy time with family. Sure, I worked some in the very early morning and in the evenings, but time is too precious to let it slip away with an incessant need to be connected, troll social channels, read industry articles or waste valuable moments online.

We ate, shared, laughed, loved, hugged, rested, visited tourists spots, beaches, stayed overnight with friend, shed a tear and made new memories.

Treasures of a lifetime. Irreplaceable.

When we were leaving a restaurant on our last night together, we walked by a couple, not talking or engaging, but glued to their phones. I looked at them and said to the young woman as she looked up and caught my gaze, “I hope you are texting each other.”

Oh the horror of my comment!!  She looked at me, sneered and grunted some type of response.

Prioritize what you value most. People. Family. Loved ones. Friends. These are what matters most and when given the opportunity to be in their company, what transpires online cannot compare to the rich relationships you can nurture. It isn’t just merely out of respect to put down your phone, but the sheer value of spending personal time, engaged and sharing real communications.

The love of one on one. Eye contact. A personal touch. Body language. Intimate nuances that can’t be reproduced by a keystroke.

Unplug!

Do yourself and those in your immediate presence a favor and tune out.

Turn off the notifications.

Live in the moment.

Share the love of those you are with.

Time passes too quickly and in a flash, can be lost while you are too busy being engrossed with technology.

There is no replacement for human interaction and a good solid hug.

Love the ones you’re with!!