Because life today demands that we work smarter, move faster, and know more, surrounding us with so many opportunities, it’s hard to not get caught up in the go-go-go frenzy of it all. The best response to this is to apply the brakes from time to time, to think before you jump and be willing to say “no” occasionally.

            Not possible? Think about it.

            Just because you can work twenty-four hours a day doesn’t mean you should. Just because you are able to put your calendar on the computer doesn’t mean you have to. Just because you received that fax or e-mail a second ago doesn’t mean you have to respond to it instantly. And just because there are fifteen thousand periodicals and fifty thousand books published every year doesn’t mean you’re obligated to read even a fraction of them. Subscribe to the two or three periodicals that are the most valuable to you and let the rest go. Aim to read one or two books per month, on carefully selected topics of interest.

            Perpetual motion, whether at work or at play, will eventually burn you out. Sure, information is available to you at every turn, but be realistic about how much you can actually process. Remember that technology is a tool. Each new tool costs you time and money to learn and to maintain. Think about that investment before buying every flashy new piece of software or electric gizmo that comes out. Let the need drive the purchase, not the other way around.