How do you deal with Technology Hell?
when a screen goes blank, a software crashes, and nothing helps, what now?
Looking back, I remind myself that the saintly Brother David Steindl-Rast says, “Everything is a gift.”
At the time, however, I felt pure panic. One of my most important technologies, a database of 30 years of collected quotes, had just shown me a blank face and nothing I did made it smile again.
Fortunately, a miracle in today’s world occurred. The software developer answered my panicked email at 8 pm on a Saturday. A few back and forths and the operator error (mine) was detected and fixed. However, I can still feel the anxiety and panic that, somehow, the technology I trusted with an important piece of my life had just crashed. As complicated as today’s world is, I’m sure this is not a rare feeling.
Since I’m on this gratitude journey and “everything is a gift,” I decided to find answers … not to how to fix software (definitely beyond my pay grade) … but techniques for dealing with the anger, frustration, fear, and helplessness that comes when a piece of software goes south (regardless of whether it’s a bug or operator error).
What helps us move past that urge to kick the dog or drink in order to calmly deal with the bit of Technology Hell that just burnt a hole in our day?
What have you found that helps you regain your equilibrium?
Thanks for making me laugh out loud! I will share that with him!
I'm so glad you posted this. It's a worthy thought topic. I have to admit that there are two things in life that will raise my BP to a silly high level; one is when I can't find something, and two is any kind of tech glitch. I have taught myself to dial back the reactionary anger and frustration response considerably, and remind myself; 1) I'm pretty good about backups, and 2) I have a great IT group who have helped me since I started my own business about 20 years ago. They are pricey, but excellent and well worth it. Sometimes we just need to dial for help. And breathe. I have to remind myself to breathe.