At the moment, we’re housesitting in Dural.
It’s on the semi-rural outskirts of North West Sydney.
So, when I needed to attend some meetings last week, it meant a one and a half hour trip each way.
What I found was that technology, when it works, can be very useful.
I say “when it works” because we’ve all experienced the angst and frustration that comes when it doesn’t work:- you’ve got a very full day ahead and you switch on your computer, eager to get on with it, and something’s not right: it won’t boot up, the connection to the network isn’t there, the printer won’t connect, the program you need won’t load, the internet is down…
So, it was a delight when my system worked.
There I was, on the train, connected to the internet, responding to emails from clients, and our team, across the country, and the world; allocating tasks, answering questions etc.
To do that I had my Telstra wifi broadband box (a device the size of a small mobile phone), laptop, tablet and phone – four devices connecting me with the entire world.
All that while I travelled from North Ryde to Hornsby by train.
There I was, in my new office, being incredibly productive.
Or was I?
Yes, I was getting a lot done, but at what price?
Back in the “olden days” ie before mobile devices, I would travel by train and use the time differently.
I started work at the University of NSW in 1972.
Not long after, I moved to Medlow Bath in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.
My daily commute was about 6 hours (I know, I was nuts – but when you’re young you do strange things and hopefully, survive them).
The train trip alone was 2 hours each way.
I used that time to read, think and meditate.
4 hours of meditation a day is an amazing experience.
I know I couldn’t possibly find the time to do that now – finding 4 minutes of still time can be challenging enough, let alone 4 hours.
(Today, the only way to achieve anything like that is to go on an extended retreat ie pay someone to take away your phone.)
It was during that quiet time, on the train, when I developed my understanding and system of astrology.
When I do astrology readings or consultations for people who’ve had a number of astrological readings from other astrologers I invariably get the comment that they’ve never seen things the way I present them before, and they’re quite amazed at the impact.
Fortunately, I had that time to sit and think, without any distractions – thanks to the train journey.
I couldn’t do it now – see note above about finding 4 minutes.
Sydney Rail has recently introduced the concept of quiet carriages.
Here’s what the website says about quiet carriage etiquette:
– your mobile phones should be on silent
– move into an adjoining carriage to have a conversation with a fellow passenger
– use headphones with mobile devices
– keeping the volume to a minimum so it can’t be heard by others.
If you don’t want to observe these rules, take the trip in a regular carriage.
I’d like to propose electronic device free carriages; not going to happen, I know, but it’d be an interesting experience.
Some time ago, a coaching client of mine went on a holiday to Greece.
I challenged her not to take her laptop and she did it.
Her trip, as a result, was an entirely different experience to what she’d expected.
She was amazed at how much time she had and how much more she saw, and experienced, than when she normally travelled there, which she does regularly.
So, my travelling office (returning to my original theme) was very useful and it seemed to be productive time – but was it really?
Next time you need to travel on public transport resist the urge to check your emails, facebook etc and see what a difference it makes.
Then, tell me about it 🙂