{"id":2473,"date":"2020-04-16T16:21:59","date_gmt":"2020-04-16T16:21:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/moretimeforyou.co.za\/?p=2473"},"modified":"2020-04-16T16:21:59","modified_gmt":"2020-04-16T16:21:59","slug":"how-to-stay-authentic-through-the-intensifying-digital-deluge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moretimeforyou.co.za\/index.php\/how-to-stay-authentic-through-the-intensifying-digital-deluge\/","title":{"rendered":"How to stay AUTHENTIC through the Intensifying Digital Deluge By Rose Chaplin of VCS \u2013 More Time for YOU"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Okay so it has got to the stage in our lives we are now sick and tired of receiving \/ reading all the information and advice on Covid. It has been overwhelming and a barrage of information for several months now.\u00a0 Yes, Covid has affected our lives in a phenomenal way. \u00a0The world will never be the same again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most humans on earth have been ordered to stay at home so most businesses in many countries have had to send employees home and set them up to work from home.\u00a0 Businesses that have only ever used the net to perhaps market themselves now find themselves having to utilize it in many other ways, namely, to run their business in order to survive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the world has, in a relatively short time (this does depend on perspective and of course, how long you\u2019ve been in lockdown!), had to move online.\u00a0 And because of this the internet has now become the way of life.\u00a0 Even if we take the business part out of life, the social distancing rule most countries have implemented means socializing is now taking place online.<\/span><\/p>\n

This has forced humans to shed their physicality and become digital.\u00a0 The message that has been spread globally is that the physical world is no longer safe and going online means you ARE safe\u2026. But being online means\u2026 you do not exist physically!\u00a0 So how do you exist?\u00a0 You are no longer the physical person doing business \u2013 you are now an online virtual digital presence.\u00a0 Scary right?<\/span><\/p>\n

Humans are physical beings. \u00a0We all breathe the same air.\u00a0 Our physicality is how we exist.\u00a0 We use our five senses to interact with each other and the world around us. \u00a0Eyes, ears, nose, touch, taste.\u00a0 By becoming more virtual we shed more than half of our physicality and lose three of our senses.\u00a0 Do we want to make this sacrifice?<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0We cannot email a hug or share a drink on WhatsApp.\u00a0 By becoming immersed in digitalization, we lose our ability to engage on a human level.<\/span><\/p>\n

BUT we are being told, if we don\u2019t make this sacrifice, we will die.\u00a0 That is the message that is being sent globally.\u00a0 If we DON\u2019T social distance ourselves, lock ourselves away, stop interacting with other human beings, we will die, or we will cause someone to die.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"This is a message that has now been forced onto most citizens of most countries.\u00a0 This is the message that has been spread.\u00a0 We are killers and we need to stay away from each other because we are all at risk of each other. \u00a0So \u2013 we can no longer trust fellow human beings anymore\u2026 \u00a0but you can\u2019t catch the virus virtually\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank goodness we have the internet we cry.\u00a0 We can now be in virtual contact with people worldwide and all talk and chat and socialize.<\/span><\/p>\n

All very well.\u00a0 However, who is it that we are seeing on the internet?\u00a0 And who are WE on the internet.\u00a0 Yes, you.\u00a0 Who are you on the internet?\u00a0 What is your identity?\u00a0 And by identity I don\u2019t mean ID number or social security number or National insurance number or whatever means your country has of identifying you as a person on paper.\u00a0 By Identity, I mean WHO ARE YOU on the internet?\u00a0 Who do you think you are?\u00a0 Who do you act like?\u00a0 You are no longer a physical person; you are an electronic presence.\u00a0 Our body language, the inflection or tone of voice, the mischievous twinkle in someone\u2019s eye, all get lost in digital translation.\u00a0 How often have you received a text and thought, sheez that\u2019s rude, no hullo, no how are you, just a message \u201ccheck my inbox\u201d or some such thing.\u00a0 The sender may have no idea they came across as abrupt, rude, short, angry, bossy.\u00a0 And so, it begins.<\/span><\/p>\n

As our involvement and submersion in the digital world is forced upon us due to social isolation, we are losing ourselves, becoming dislocated from reality and detached from what used to be reality.\u00a0 How many of you during lockdown have likened it to being in a cocoon and, while the banks bang on our doors (metaphorically speaking) we sit back and feel safe and secure because \u201cnothing can touch us while we are in lockdown, we are safe\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is becoming detached from reality. \u00a0And by becoming detached from reality we lose our actual selves, our physical selves and our purpose as human beings, on earth.\u00a0 Being digital is very different to the actual reality of experiencing love and contact.\u00a0\u00a0 Humans are physical beings.\u00a0 We have feelings, emotions, desires.\u00a0 Without the physicality of being able to express our emotions, fear and anger can build, and you may notice a spiral in digital aggression as presently, this is the only way many people can express their fear and anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"How do we counteract our \u201cselves\u201d drowning digitally?<\/span><\/p>\n

Remember your \u201chuman-ness\u201d.\u00a0 A Cambridge Dictionary definition of human I particularly like (yep found online via google) \u201chaving the\u00a0qualities,<\/span>\u00a0faults,<\/span> and\u00a0feelings<\/span>\u00a0that\u00a0people<\/span>\u00a0have,<\/span> as\u00a0opposed<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0gods,\u00a0animals,<\/span> or\u00a0machines<\/span><\/strong>\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is important to remember the digital world is functional.\u00a0 The physical world is more alive and affects us as a whole, our senses, our bodies.\u00a0 Human beings are lovers, family, friends, fighters, hero\u2019s, cowards, clowns, fools \u2013 the list can go on and on\u2026 and all the connections, the emotional and amazing stuff that goes with it. \u00a0The reason physical reality is important in people\u2019s experience is because of the emotions attached to it.<\/span><\/p>\n

So how do we remain in contact with our human selves whilst being online?\u00a0\u00a0 This is where you have to be strict with yourself!<\/span><\/p>\n

Spend time away from your screen \/ phone\/ iPad \u2013 AND APPRECIATE IT.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay grounded.\u00a0 In order to avoid becoming too cocky or too low remember the things that are important such as family, your health, recreation, spirituality, introspection, meditation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well-grounded people are disciplined, calm, confident and steady.\u00a0 They do not show up as one person one day and another the next.\u00a0 It can be easy to become reactive and slip into bad habits, so it is important to remain well-grounded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Manage<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Your stress<\/em>: No one can avoid stress; however, it is how you manage and relieve it that is so important.\u00a0 Stress can lead to negativity and negativity affects your frame of mind and therefore your life overall.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your time<\/em>: Set aside strict times for work and once done, you\u2019re done.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your phone<\/em>: Use special ringtones for family, friends, work etc. and outside of work ignore work calls.\u00a0 You can, for example, set aside 30 minutes the next day to go through calls received outside of work hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your emails<\/em>:\u00a0 For some people these are a necessary, never ending wave of questions, queries and headaches. \u00a0Sort out a system where you can prioritise emails which require immediate response, ones\u2019 that can wait until important tasks are done and ones\u2019 that require no action. \u00a0Then set aside a certain amount of time in the day to go through your emails.\u00a0 Let colleagues know you have a set time.\u00a0 Answer emails in batches. \u00a0Save and review all important emails before clicking send. \u00a0Be strict and unsubscribe from all unnecessary newsletters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ration<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Your news<\/em>: Choose 1 or 2 streams, set aside 10 minutes in the evening and 30 minutes in the morning or vice versa to go through and update.\u00a0 Or don\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your WhatsApp Groups<\/em>.\u00a0 Mute unimportant groups \u2013 or leave.\u00a0 Allow set times a day to go through other messages.\u00a0 Let people know you are not ignoring; you are managing and will get back to them when you can.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your social media<\/em> \u2013 again strict times when you can go onto Facebook \/ LinkedIn \/ twitter \/ Pinterest unless of course your business is run through these platforms \u2013 then you need to be strict about how long you actually spend on them!<\/span><\/p>\n

Connect to like-minded people<\/strong>.\u00a0 There are many community groups available online now, do some research, join some and see if they suit you.\u00a0 Don\u2019t join hundreds, be selective and choose the ones you really enjoy.\u00a0 Ignore the rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Meditate<\/strong> \u2013 if that word sounds too airy fairy for your then call it self-reflection or grounding!\u00a0 When things get too stressful or overwhelming, breathe deep, plant your feet solidly on the ground (if you can go outside barefoot even better) and focus your mind on one part of your body then another, or your breath for 15 minutes.\u00a0 Then open your eyes, stand up and stretch.\u00a0 A short exercise that works so well to keep you grounded and calm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Be grateful<\/strong>.\u00a0 For 2 minutes (or more if you have the time to spare) in the morning think of the amazing things you have in your life.\u00a0 Whether it is listening to the birds singing outside, the delicious coffee you are sipping, your loved ones, your laptop that allows you to work, your feet that walk, your eyes that see, practising gratitude for 2 minutes a day changes the chemistry in your brain and makes a huge difference in your outlook during the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Retreat<\/strong> \u2013 make a space in your house \/ room \/ garden \/ patio \/ veranda where you can sit in peace, whether it is for 5 minutes or 20 minutes.\u00a0 Ensure your family know. If you are by yourself still make your special retreat space.\u00a0 Keep it for the times you want to \u201cspoil\u201d yourself by \u201cgetting away\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s not be de-humanized by this pandemic.\u00a0 Let\u2019s not give in to fear and lose ourselves to the internet.\u00a0 Let\u2019s do our utmost to stay our wonderful human selves and ensure that our \u201cself\u201d remains with us as we navigate our way through the digital age that is now.<\/span><\/p>\n

STAY SAFE!<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Talk to the team\u00a0at VCS \u2013 More Time for YOU \u2013 we are Executive Virtual Assistants that can assist you!\u00a0 Fill out our contact form\u00a0HERE<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span>!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Okay so it has got to the stage in our lives we are now sick and tired of receiving \/ reading all the information and advice on Covid. It has been overwhelming and a barrage of information for several months now.\u00a0 Yes, Covid has affected our lives in a phenomenal way. \u00a0The world will never […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"

Okay so it has got to the stage in our lives we are now sick and tired of receiving \/ reading all the information and advice on Covid. It has been overwhelming and a barrage of information for several months now.\u00a0 Yes, Covid has affected our lives in a phenomenal way. \u00a0The world will never be the same again.<\/p>

Most humans on earth have been ordered to stay at home so most businesses in many countries have had to send employees home and set them up to work from home.\u00a0 Businesses that have only ever used the net to perhaps market themselves now find themselves having to utilize it in many other ways, namely, to run their business in order to survive.<\/p>

Most of the world has, in a relatively short time (this does depend on perspective and of course, how long you\u2019ve been in lockdown!), had to move online.\u00a0 And because of this the internet has now become the way of life.\u00a0 Even if we take the business part out of life, the social distancing rule most countries have implemented means socializing is now taking place online.<\/p>

This has forced humans to shed their physicality and become digital.\u00a0 The message that has been spread globally is that the physical world is no longer safe and going online means you ARE safe\u2026. But being online means\u2026 you do not exist physically!\u00a0 So how do you exist?\u00a0 You are no longer the physical person doing business \u2013 you are now an online virtual digital presence.\u00a0 Scary right?<\/p>

Humans are physical beings. \u00a0We all breathe the same air.\u00a0 Our physicality is how we exist.\u00a0 We use our five senses to interact with each other and the world around us. \u00a0Eyes, ears, nose, touch, taste.\u00a0 By becoming more virtual we shed more than half of our physicality and lose three of our senses.\u00a0 Do we want to make this sacrifice? \u00a0We cannot email a hug or share a drink on WhatsApp.\u00a0 By becoming immersed in digitalization, we lose our ability to engage on a human level.<\/p>

BUT we are being told, if we don\u2019t make this sacrifice, we will die.\u00a0 That is the message that is being sent globally.\u00a0 If we DON\u2019T social distance ourselves, lock ourselves away, stop interacting with other human beings, we will die, or we will cause someone to die.<\/p>

This is a message that has now been forced onto most citizens of most countries.\u00a0 This is the message that has been spread.\u00a0 We are killers and we need to stay away from each other because we are all at risk of each other. \u00a0So \u2013 we can no longer trust fellow human beings anymore\u2026 \u00a0but you can\u2019t catch the virus virtually\u2026<\/p>

Thank goodness we have the internet we cry.\u00a0 We can now be in virtual contact with people worldwide and all talk and chat and socialize.<\/p>

All very well.\u00a0 However, who is it that we are seeing on the internet?\u00a0 And who are WE on the internet.\u00a0 Yes, you.\u00a0 Who are you on the internet?\u00a0 What is your identity?\u00a0 And by identity I don\u2019t mean ID number or social security number or National insurance number or whatever means your country has of identifying you as a person on paper.\u00a0 By Identity, I mean WHO ARE YOU on the internet?\u00a0 Who do you think you are?\u00a0 Who do you act like?\u00a0 You are no longer a physical person; you are an electronic presence.\u00a0 Our body language, the inflection or tone of voice, the mischievous twinkle in someone\u2019s eye, all get lost in digital translation.\u00a0 How often have you received a text and thought, sheez that\u2019s rude, no hullo, no how are you, just a message \u201ccheck my inbox\u201d or some such thing.\u00a0 The sender may have no idea they came across as abrupt, rude, short, angry, bossy.\u00a0 And so, it begins.<\/p>

As our involvement and submersion in the digital world is forced upon us due to social isolation, we are losing ourselves, becoming dislocated from reality and detached from what used to be reality.\u00a0 How many of you during lockdown have likened it to being in a cocoon and, while the banks bang on our doors (metaphorically speaking) we sit back and feel safe and secure because \u201cnothing can touch us while we are in lockdown, we are safe\u201d.<\/p>

This is becoming detached from reality. \u00a0And by becoming detached from reality we lose our actual selves, our physical selves and our purpose as human beings, on earth.\u00a0 Being digital is very different to the actual reality of experiencing love and contact.\u00a0\u00a0 Humans are physical beings.\u00a0 We have feelings, emotions, desires.\u00a0 Without the physicality of being able to express our emotions, fear and anger can build, and you may notice a spiral in digital aggression as presently, this is the only way many people can express their fear and anger.<\/p>

How do we counteract our \u201cselves\u201d drowning digitally?<\/p>

Remember your \u201chuman-ness\u201d.\u00a0 A Cambridge Dictionary definition of human I particularly like (yep found online via google) \u201chaving the\u00a0qualities,\u00a0faults, and\u00a0feelings\u00a0that\u00a0people\u00a0have, as\u00a0opposed\u00a0to\u00a0gods,\u00a0animals, or\u00a0machines\u201d.<\/p>

It is important to remember the digital world is functional.\u00a0 The physical world is more alive and affects us as a whole, our senses, our bodies.\u00a0 Human beings are lovers, family, friends, fighters, hero\u2019s, cowards, clowns, fools \u2013 the list can go on and on\u2026 and all the connections, the emotional and amazing stuff that goes with it. \u00a0The reason physical reality is important in people\u2019s experience is because of the emotions attached to it.<\/p>

So how do we remain in contact with our human selves whilst being online?\u00a0\u00a0 This is where you have to be strict with yourself!<\/p>

Spend time away from your screen \/ phone\/ iPad \u2013 AND APPRECIATE IT.<\/p>

Stay grounded.\u00a0 In order to avoid becoming too cocky or too low remember the things that are important such as family, your health, recreation, spirituality, introspection, meditation.<\/p>

Well-grounded people are disciplined, calm, confident and steady.\u00a0 They do not show up as one person one day and another the next.\u00a0 It can be easy to become reactive and slip into bad habits, so it is important to remain well-grounded.<\/p>

Manage<\/p>

Your stress: No one can avoid stress; however, it is how you manage and relieve it that is so important.\u00a0 Stress can lead to negativity and negativity affects your frame of mind and therefore your life overall.<\/p>

Your time: Set aside strict times for work and once done, you\u2019re done.<\/p>

Your phone: Use special ringtones for family, friends, work etc. and outside of work ignore work calls.\u00a0 You can, for example, set aside 30 minutes the next day to go through calls received outside of work hours.<\/p>

Your emails:\u00a0 For some people these are a necessary, never ending wave of questions, queries and headaches. \u00a0Sort out a system where you can prioritise emails which require immediate response, ones\u2019 that can wait until important tasks are done and ones\u2019 that require no action. \u00a0Then set aside a certain amount of time in the day to go through your emails.\u00a0 Let colleagues know you have a set time.\u00a0 Answer emails in batches. \u00a0Save and review all important emails before clicking send. \u00a0Be strict and unsubscribe from all unnecessary newsletters.<\/p>

Ration<\/p>