by Jared Goralnick
Mark Hurst just wrote an excellent post about people missing the point of software and technology. He brought up an ironic story about the author of a software productivity tool who couldn’t touch-type. In the comments to his post there was mostly agreement, but there was one dissenter (at least so far) who claimed that there were so many other places where he could better use his time to improve his efficiency.
Anyone who is familiar with my business knows its message–that people don’t use the most basic software very well and that they’d gain time more by better using those tools than by investing in upgrades or “productivity” tools. Shortcuts and backroads will get you to work sooner than even the fastest ‘Vette in rush hour…
That being said, I encounter friction every day when I try to change habits. People are comfortable with the way things have always been. Accepting your way to be the wrong way is tough. Changing is no easy task.
The dissenter who couldn’t type is a part of all of us. Every day I’m hard on myself for similar things: I allow myself to be interrupted by X, Y, and Z when I should be working on proposals, responding to job applicants, fixing software, or finding new business. There’s often a fine line between what is a good use of my time and what I rationalize as such…
But in the end I get work done, and most others do. Truly the only way to gauge productivity is by what’s accomplished. Nonetheless, throughout the process we have to be aware of the little things.
Though I picked up this post from 37signals and am a fan of their philosophy, I think Mark is pointing to a more specific type of less of which we need to look out for:
- Less technology that seems to just help technology. While this is important for technology’s development, ultimately there needs to be an expectation for how the technology can help people
- Less technology that’s focused on the things people spend 1% of their day on. More technology and more awareness of the tools that will help with the major parts of one’s day
- To continue the last point and echo Mark, we need less super-cool technology, and more technology that gets stuff done…even if the tasks the tool helps with seem mundane
Thank you to Mark and to 37signals for spreading some great ideas that are bringing technology back on track as a vehicle rather than yet another obstacle to our getting things done.
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