DrHurd.com

Beeper Backlash

PDF Print E-mail
Media Link - Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky)
Written by Michael J. Hurd, Ph.D.   
Monday, 17 July 2000 00:00
If the boss has saddled you with around-the-clock cell phone or beeper access, here are some ways to make life with your electronic equipment a little easier: Make sure you are really "required" to be wired 24 hours a day. For all you know, the boss could be thinking, "Wow, I'm glad he keeps that phone on all day and night. I sure don't expect it, but I like it!" Concentrate on returning calls during business hours, or at the start and end of the day. That way, you can guiltlessly turn the phone or beeper off during your leisure time. Develop an attitude of 100 percent work, 100 percent play. When it's play time, turn off the cell phone or beeper. At work, work extra hard to be accessible and to return calls and pages quickly. If somebody calls during your leisure time, politely ask if it would be all right for you to call them back, say, at 9 a.m. the next day. If possible, have a time period where you regularly take calls "live" -- an hour a day, or whatever is possible. Then, on your voice mail, suggest that people call you during that time rather than leaving a message. This will cut down on your messages and allow you to feel better about turning off the cell phone and pager during leisure hours." Also from The Courier-Journal: What Chevy Chase, MD, therapist and author Michael Hurd questions is whether the work force is healthier because of [cell phones and pagers]. "Many of my clients bring their pagers and cell phones to sessions and feel obliged to answer them -- even in the middle of a one-hour period they've set aside to deal with stress," Hurd said. "I will often comment on the resentment they seem to feel at doing this, and I will challenge the idea that they must answer their pager." "This issue has to do with people turning themselves into slaves," Hurd said. "They fail to see that they have more control and choice over the limits they set on their work schedules -- and even their bosses -- than they realize." Hurd said while it is true that productivity and advancement usually require working extra hard at a job, "it's also true that productivity and advancement means knowing when to set limits."
 

Shopping Cart

Your Cart is currently empty.

Wait for the payment page to appear after your order is confirmed. If you haven't entered your payment information, your order will not be completed. When ordering instant downloads, your shipping and credit card billing addresses must match. Problems? Call 302-539-5986 or contact Dr. Hurd.

DR. HURD'S NEW BOOK!

Bad Therapy, Good TherapyClick here to purchase your autographed copy!
(Choose domestic or International delivery. Price includes shipping.)

Kindle Edition

Click below to purchase in KINDLE E-book format from Amazon CLICK to purchase in KINDLE edition

Daily Dose Mug

Daily Dose MugGet your official Daily Dose Coffee Mug! Click "merchandise" in the shopping menu to the left.

Psychotherapy

Want to address an issue head on in a peaceful, oceanside location? Come to the beaches of Delaware for our special Reflection...by the Sea package.

Stop and Think...

" Change is not merely necessary to life - it is life. "

Alvin Toffler


Recent News

Contact Dr. Hurd