Carving Out “Me” Time in the Internet of Everything Era

In a typical week, I spend about 70 percent of my waking hours on work-related matters. Another 50 percent is devoted to my family. Which leaves 20 percent for taking care of the household, and ….

Yes, that adds up to more that 100 percent. But there simply aren’t enough hours in a day for all that needs to be done — not to mention protecting that crucial time with loved ones.

So, thank you, multitasking! I can’t be the only one who has held a child while writing emails, taken conference calls from the supermarket, or had several online meetings running simultaneously.

All of this occurred to me as I struggled to find time for this blog. Writing forces me to shut off everything around me and reflect on the things that really matter — in a world that is rapidly changing, increasingly complex, and in which technology can sometimes seem a mixed blessing. When I do finally carve out an opportunity to write, it is precious time, which I cherish.

But writing is hard. Trust me, I’ve thought about creating a blog for years, and my past is riddled with failed attempts to start. Each time, I hesitated for too long, wondering whether people would really want to hear what I have to say. Like many writers, I have wondered if my compositions were too long, too short, too personal, too corporate, too banal, too deep ….

But as much as I appreciate your attention, dear reader, this time around I realize that I am writing the blog for me, the writer. Like many of us, I navigate a harried, high-pressure life. And this blog is my time, my space, to do something creative and expressive.

Which doesn’t mean that I am not passionate about what we do at Cisco Consulting Services!

Much of our work is aimed at streamlining people’s lives. The Internet of Everything (IoE) is all about bringing more efficiency, inclusion, and connectivity to workplaces, cities, our personal lives, you name it. And while IoE may represent an explosion of connectivity among people, process, data, and things, it’s the people element that’s paramount.

Technology, after all, should be about making our lives better — although at times, it may seem that it makes everything more complex and challenging. But cutting the hours spent on the kinds of mind-numbing activities that undermine creative thought — or quality time spent with family and friends — is a key benchmark for technology success. Cloud, mobility, data analytics, and other core elements of IoE have tremendous potential to transform our lives for the better — once they are applied intelligently.

Connected parking and traffic lights, which we have helped to implement in cities such as Barcelona and Amsterdam as part of our Smart Cities initiative, are just two small examples of IoE in action. Consider the many lost hours spent stuck in traffic or in the endless search for parking spots (not to mention the wasted fuel); then imagine all the other, more rewarding and productive activities that could occupy that time.

Such as holding my daughter (sans emails).

Or shopping (uninterrupted by conference calls — and with shorter checkout queues, thanks to IoE innovations in retail).

Or writing this blog (which is my time — but thanks for reading!).

Join the conversation on Twitter at #InternetOfEverything and follow me @alangerjacquin.