Addicted to Social Media

As a child of the information age, I am a platinum member of the mile high multitasking generation; often to lose my balance as I clumsily thumb through a hodgepodge of tabbed browser windows, database programs, socialization applications, gadgets, and background programs –- each multiplied, at times hangnails in my desktop taskbar. Engaged in the field of social media, I have a sophisticated addiction of acquiring new-age twenty-first century organic software that integrates countless functions into a single download; each built for the dynamic creation and preserving of interpersonal communication –-simultaneously discharging an arsenal of content, modified for my eager consumption, at random time intervals. Customized to marvelous perfection and attached to an external device of two terabytes, I never cease my amazement in the elegant performance of the main multi-functional technological device that is the object of devotion; one of many, networked, each customized to perform a particular additional function. Rising in the delight of the morning, prideful in my achievement, I rise with a remarkable thirst for knowledge as I take my place within a globally connected metaverse; a productive and professional young woman who has created a name for herself in the modern day society of technological involvement –- not just a journalist but adapted voyager in the vast world of networking. Quickly a bare task panel is congested with one browser than another, sometimes three, tabs begin to open along with multiple windows; database, electronic mail, chat boxes –- keeping on task as I glance to view the agenda for the day, feeling accomplished with each completed strike through. It’s no secret, often, I am lured off of my path of productivity by an interesting concept or selfish desire; even more so, with so many programs opened, I find myself lost within the navigation. However, as a professional I know both temptation and time; with strides in my pace I find myself back on task as I have allotted myself a flexible schedule knowing both intentional and unintentional placement. Personally, I believe the steps to professional productivity vary from person to person; each single individual knowing of his or own basic needs for production with a few commonalities –- I have taken the liberty to charting my own professional measures for productivity.

-Schedule Flexibility: Flexibility is a term that I, personally, know well as I cope with chronic pain and illness; first I found myself in a work environment that I could no longer function in, instead of giving up on myself and submitting to a label of “terminal”, I put confidence in good friends who encouraged me to pursue writing –- most telling me that I writing was my gift. I have prearranged flexibility in my, work from home, daily schedule which allows me the time I need without risking professional confidence; I have also allotted a patterned time to take breaks, both of these flexibilities allow for any sidetracks that may entice me from my agenda. I believe that in any schedule, for any person, flexibility is key; the twenty-first century society is a fast pace generation, non-scheduled nuisances are to be had and errors are to be made. Not only do I work around my chronic pain and illness, I take full advantage of my pain induced insomnia; working through a sleepless night with strict limitations that any time on the computer after midnight is designated for work only. Instead of being a citizen of social media, I shut off any outside interference and I work within peace; my best work comes after midnight and from a night of insomnia, as my focus is on a stricter foundation. Not everyone can work during a night of insomnia, yet point-by-point arrangements can be made for everyone to reduce outside inferences during work hours.  

-Personalized Notes: My personality is such that I must remain organized at all times, so with this I value and utilize taking notes; along with various Vista side-bar notepads I also utilize two other note programs, each of these contain notes on the same subjectivity as staying organized is a critical key point. In addition to various note pads, I believe it is strategic to have a game plan for the work week; beyond believe I take detailed notes, as a writer that will never change my spots, these notes I clear after the end of each work week unless they can be carried over or used for future references. For any professional precision is necessary even with note taking. In work we are given deadlines, each task needs to be charted with a rough deadline; I personally allow for one extra day for each task to be finished by the employed deadline, allowing me a boost in confidence when I get things finished a day or even two days early. Multi-tasking with two various fields, journalism and social media, that overlap slightly I plan my days or weeks to be devoted to one single substance; never do I plan by day as it only provides confusion — this confusion ties up tasks and allows for personal deadlines to not be properly met. As a professional, I never work on two different things at once, rather I devote my time to a single thing to respect what I do and do it to the best of my ability. However, tasks with the earliest due date must be done first; procrastination on critical tasks is far from that of professional in my opinion; rushing to complete work does not yield word of quality.

-Focus: As a professional, many things are demanded daily; however I have found it critical to only focus on the task at hand. Focus will drastically improve the quality of work and reduce errors; for example do not write a critical piece of work while watching a favorite sports team be successful in a sporting game. However, if my focus is interrupted then comes proof reading which I do a triple check of prior to a final save and one prior to submitting or publishing my work. I suggest professional’s triple check all work and utilize all utilities, stopping short of having a peer review the work for you. When focusing, I reduce all distractions; similar to that of a night of insomnia. After a large focus, I believe that one must treat themselves worthwhile and take a break in accordance with their focus. Most do not work well with loud music and see it only as a distraction of focus, personally I find that music is such a major part of my day-to-day life I must have it to produce quality work; I am in a routine and part of a focus is to not change that routine if a strict routine of habits is to be had –- some professionals do well with change, I’m not one of them and will be repeat in all of my behaviors daily. In example I wake up at 8am and instead of coffee, after a shower, I start with very sweet tea for my sugar buzz, to gain my thirst for knowledge I start the work day with Fox News and user generated content on various social mediums, turning on music is next and I process through my day repeating my habits; as I feel off base without these. However, as an individual you must find the proper routine that works for you, as the professional, each routine will be of difference in accordance with personality, interest, and work ethics. I keep the routine in my breaks, as well, unless affected by my illness; this is what works for me but is not recommended for anyone else. Due to my illness, my pain is worse in the mornings thus by 1pm I make sure I start my agendas as part of my routine; if I am ill I attempt to push myself but know that my work can suffer drastically if I am not up for the task at hand no matter how routine I keep it. I recommend for everyone, regardless of work, not to push themselves in any regard; work will always suffer to some extent.

-No, Just Say No: Phone calls are daily nuisances, this is the reason as to why I turn my phone off or refuse to answer the phone during crucial working hours; other nuisances penetrate our work environment and these need to be dismissed with a refusal. However, I find that the number one person that I have to say no to daily; myself. With the baiting of social media, I am often lured in to message after message of social communication; knowing that I have work to do,  any communication I do I have allotted the time for and will only do such if I have the freedom from time restrictions –- if I have no time allowed or if I feel that I may need extra time I say no and reduce the distractions.

-Keep Track of Goals: I keep track of progress on various mediums including that of social media; this also allows my network to have the knowledge that I am not ignoring them but rather I am attempting to maintain my professionalism. After each task, no matter how small, I keep track of this and make notes of the complication; this allows me professional confidence and also this shows me of the start time and the stop time to review. Goals should be clearly focused, in the best way possible for the one who makes those goals; each should be in reach. I have found the importance in reachable goals; if goals are too far out of reach they will be left uncompleted and the confidence level will only be diminished. Deadlines should also be reviewed, I do this each day even if I set my agenda for a week at a time; this allows me to see what needs to be done and in what order those tasks need to be done -– also this allows for what rate breaks can be taken. Negativity should be removed before it becomes a habit and also to remain professional one must remember to remain flexible and set the own pace based on individual needs.

Remember, it’s never to early nor too late to start a professional productive schedule for yourself; regardless of work, you are the one that knows your habits and mannerisms.

(Copyright ©  H0llywoodWh0re 2009)