Death by Twitter

OK, is it me, or do you sometimes feel twittered, face-booked, emailed, IMed, and linked-in to death? Is this really connectedness, or is it just a recipe for insanity? If I really keep up with all of these social networking sites and tools, it’s a sure bet I will soon be walking around with a Crackberry in my hand, reduced to a driveling idiot who is connected to the whole world but has no real friends to show for it.

Whatever happened to just meeting someone for coffee (sans the Crackberry, thank you very much)? Oh, and by the way, ever try to have a conversation with someone who has a Crackberry glued to their hand? They pretend they are listening to you, as you watch their them try not to look at their phone. Don’t get me started. Or how about sitting in a meeting with buzzing Crackberries going off the whole time? (Ok, we get it. You are important!)

Seriously, though, when is it time to use a tool like Twitter, and when is it time to just pick up the phone, call a client, and turn off your phone while you have lunch? I’ve tried this several times, and amazingly, the world doesn’t end. I would like to suggest that it’s always a good time to make real, personal connections.

I’m not negating the effectiveness of tools like Twitter or Facebook for helping you stay connected on some levels. I use them myself. But they should never be a substitute for the hard work of building strong relationships. If you are overwhelmed and phobic about social networking tools, you aren’t alone. Be encouraged. If you are good at building relationships, that’s more than half the battle. Social networking tools will only enhance the people skills you already have.

And if you secretly turn your cell phone off once in a while, my hat’s off to you. You will be more creative than the rest because you know how to do something critical: Walk away!

That said—it’s time for a lunch break. Outside. Without the phone.