Mr. Gadget

Gadgets are a fascinating part of our culture and our day-to-day lives. On one hand, they provide us more options — thus more complications. On the other hand, they profess to (and sometimes do) simplify our lives. The “trick” as I see it is to pick the RIGHT gadget, then use it to meet the objective for which it was bought.

For example, I was given a Kindle e-reader not long ago as a birthday gift (yes, I gave big hints). It’s done a fine job getting me away from the television, and it gets me to read the newspaper each morning — something I wanted to do but was loath to receive on my doorstep (and recycle). Yes, the Kindle also plays mp3s, but that’s not why I bought it — and I barely use it for that.

So how is this a career move? If you’re like me, you get caught up in doing what you’re used to doing. It’s not that I avoid new tools for my work, it’s just that I don’t see them because I’m buried in what I’m doing day-to-day. Once in a while I need to be intentional and look.

So step back for a moment, and think about what you do all the time, and look around for tools that make that task easier, quicker, or less expensive. In this world of ever increasing technology, you’re sure to find something that can put your life, and career, in a better place.