Too Much Information Robs You of Happiness
In many ways we have allowed technology to rob us of our happiness. We need to know more, see more, experience more all the time. It is never enough. I have 4 children. It has become almost comical to what lengths I can go to see and hear them when they are in their beds trying to sleep. My high def, high resolution, night vision seeing camera can pan from my smart phone and speak to them anywhere in the world. Crazy to think that at some point in parenting people did not have this technology.
(read the next paragraph with sarcasm) What did they do? How did they know if their children were safe? Without the camera and internet or 4g service how could they properly raise healthy global citizens? How could a parent be peaceful or happy without they knowledge of every breath and move their child makes when they are supposed to be sleeping.
More information has not made us happier.
Below is an post written by Seth Godin who has remarkable things to say on a daily basis in regards to leadership and life. You can access the original article by clicking here.
"How was your bike ride?"
The answer has evolved over the last century...
It was great, I pushed myself and feel fabulous.
It was okay, I came in fourth place in the race, but those other guys beat me again.
I did fine. My speed was 15.6 miles per hour, not my best average.
Well, the computer says it was a personal best, and my heartrate approached max on the third hill.
The app says that I did that route the 159th best of everyone who has ever done it. A bust...
More information doesn't always make us happier. At some point, improvement turns into a game, something to be won or lost, completely losing the point of the project we set out to do.
It's no wonder that after a certain point, increased income doesn't usually lead to more happiness. If income becomes a game, not a means to an end, then people will distort their goals and choices in order to win. They'll cut corners, maybe even do things they're not particularly proud of, all because our culture has created a huge scoreboard, updated hourly.
The same thing is true with the quest to win the sports trophy at all costs, or to measure your office in square inches and compare it to the next guy's...
"How big was your bonus," is not the same question as, "how happy are you?" or even, "do you feel good about making a difference..."
What are your thoughts? How has technology and the age with endless information changed your leadership?
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