My 2022 blog series has focused on lessons from our 2021 summer trip out west. One eye-opening experience was the lack of internet access out west. Particularly Yellowstone. When I say no, I mean no internet access at all in the park or any of the accommodations in the park. It makes for an exciting time in many ways. So what were the upsides and downsides of the experience?
Upside
The upside to lack of internet connectivity access is more quality real-time face-to-face interaction with one another. No one has their head planted in a phone, so exciting conversations and stories shared make beautiful memories with friends and family. In addition, it gives you time to retool and think clearly with a sharpened approach and brain instead of the constant noise from the outside world.
Downside
But from a business and efficiency perspective, do you want to be disconnected from the action? I think not after having experienced distance and remote situations without any internet access. So here’s what you have to manage effectively, which is hard to do.
Without internet access, you have to expend more time and energy developing creative solutions to complete simple tasks; you suck up time and brainpower that could address more complex tasks. You feel behind. It’s always best to be ahead of the curve, as they say.
The best of all worlds is having access to technology but knowing when to disconnect from technology.