The Technology Sabbath

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The Technology Sabbath

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May 25, 2011

I'm not really sure sometimes that all the technology we have has made everything so much better. When you walk through the mall most people don't make eye contact because they are looking down at their smart phone. Well, nice to meet you as well. If you look around the dinner tables at these casual fare restaurants, usually one or two people aren't even engaged in the conversation because they are engrossed in a texting conversation. Well, those must be some interesting dinner conversations. Each time the phone buzzes on the tables, it creates a Pavlovian reaction that makes us salivate to see what it is in your e-mail. Well, just pick up the phone every time is calls your name. When do we need a relief from technology?

There's been a lot of debate recently on how much technology is too much technology. It made me think about how many evenings I've got my laptop open, my smart phone by my side, or some piece of technology that makes me accessible within the blink of an eye. I wondered what toll this technology may be taking on me and on my family. Most importantly, am I really making a long term smart money move by having all of these gadgets at my disposal 24 hours a day/7 days a week?

I had been reading about the different ideas regarding a technology Sabbath, and decided to float the idea past my family the other evening. With me probably being the worst in our entire family with making myself available to my gadgets, I suggested that every Sunday we use no mobile phones, laptops, or anything with accessibility to the internet until after dinner that day. My daughter immediately asked, "What if one of my friends calls me on my phone?" I shared that people could still call the regular home phone, or make plans in advance for Sundays. I really wanted to stress that we could have more uninterrupted conversations, more family fun time, and more time enjoying the beauty and scenery around us without having the technology by our side for the day.

I've always felt that you need time and space to just think. This free time is truly important for coming up with great ideas, or really thinking critically about how to solve the tough issues you may be facing in your life. I'm pretty sure that although technology can make you more productive, it does also provide lots of distractions that waste time in your personal and professional life. If time equals money, then managing time and making quality decisions may be two of the most important things in determining part of your overall financial success.

Creating new habits are never easy. I'm not sure if you think you need a technology Sabbath, but ask yourself when was the last time you went 24 hours without hearing a phone buzz, your e-mail box ding, or someone texting you. If you haven't had a break from your gadgets, maybe it's time for you to have a technology Sabbath. I start mine soon!

Ted Jenkin, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CMFC®, CRPS®

Co-CEO and Founder oXYGen Financial, Inc

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Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through NFP Advisor Services, LLC (NFPAS), Member FINRA/SIPC. Oxygen Financial is not affiliated with NFPAS. NFPAS does not provide tax or legal advice. This site is published for residents of the United States only. Registered Representatives and Investment Advisor Representatives of NFP Advisor Services, LLC (NFPAS) may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed. Not all products and services referenced on this site are available in every state and through every representative or advisor listed. For additional information, please contact NFPAS Compliance Department at 512-697-6000. PLEASE NOTE: The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the web sites provided here, you are leaving this web site. NFP Advisor Services, LLC makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these web sites. Nor is NFP Advisor Services, LLC liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, web sites, information and programs made available through this web site. When you access one of these web sites, you are leaving our web site and assume total responsibility and risk for your use of the web sites you are linking to.

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Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. oXYGen Financial is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS do not provide tax or legal advice. https://Bit.ly/KF-Disclosures

This site is published for residents of the United States only. Registered Representatives of Kestra IS and Investment Advisor Representatives of Kestra AS may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed. Not all products and services referenced on this site are available in every state and through every representative or advisor listed. For additional information, please contact Kestra IS Compliance Department at 844-553-7872.

PLEASE NOTE: The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the web sites provided here, you are leaving this web site. Kestra IS and Kestra AS makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these web sites. Nor is Kestra IS and Kestra AS liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, web sites, information and programs made available through this web site. When you access one of these web sites, you are leaving our web site and assume total responsibility and risk for your use of the web sites you are linking to.