Each of us were born into an era in which complexity has become the hallmark of our daily existence. As such, fragmentation of the mind is all but inevitable unless we take action.

Never before has there been a generation in human history besieged by more items competing for its time and attention than the generation in which you find yourself. Think of it – in his entire life, George Washington never spent a second watching a news update.

Complexity as a Benchmark

With each passing year, indeed each hour, greater amounts of information are generated at an accelerating rate. Increasing numbers of technological breakthroughs are continually being achieved without any pauses between such advances, for people to adjust to new situations.

Professor Lowell Catlett, an expert on the topics of technology and change, observed that, from a capability standpoint, all the high-tech products on your desk and in your home will be antiques (not high-priced antiques!) in a few years from now.

Moreover, technology manufacturers themselves are intentionally putting their own products to bed in shorter and shorter cycles.

New, but Markedly Improved?

Sony’s shelf-life (market life span) for high-tech products, for example, is less than 90 days. When Sony ships a product to an office superstore, Sony itself is near ready with an updated product that exceeds the capability or design functions of the previous shipment.

Sony contends that their estimated shelf-life will continue to diminish. Their mission is to make their own products obsolete with vastly superior products.

Why would they do this? Is it a company full of masochists or something? Suppose they actually achieve breakthroughs every few weeks. Doesn’t it wreak havoc on their employees, their distribution systems, and you as a consumer? The answer is a big fat yes.

At the same time, if Sony doesn’t constantly improve what they’re offering, then their competition will crush them. Every major manufacturer feels the same pinch. Consumers – you and I – generally have no idea what is hitting us.

Reality; Not Your Imagination

We’ve reached the point where the regulations, laws, news, information, and technologies that we’re ‘expected’ to know are leaving us overwhelmed, confused, and exhausted.

The infrastructure that holds society in place – the computer systems, the highways, and the energy that runs them all – is based on increasingly sophisticated systems and technologies.

If you notice that the world is getting more complex each day, and if you feel as if your own life is already overly complex, relax. You’re probably quite rational. These day, even when you’re simply minding your own business, life is becoming more complex.

The complexity is not a function of aging, or of having more responsibility, a bigger mortgage or higher rent, more children, or more of anything in your life.

Pioneers

Each of us are now pioneers in this brave new world. Mercifully, most of us are still able to ably proceed. Take time to pray, meditate, reflect, and/or simply relax.

For some people, peace of mind means reduced levels of stress. For others, it’s having more leisure time or fewer bills to pay.

Peace of mind might represent having control over one’s space – living in less clutter or having less to clean and maintain. For many people, having greater peace of mind is linked with spirituality or reverence to God.

Your quest for peace of mind could encompass one or more of the notions above, maybe even all of them.

– – – – –

We'd love to hear your thoughts about this article. Please take a minute to share them in the comment section by clicking here. Or carry the conversation over on your favorite social network by clicking one of the share buttons below.

Jeff Davidson

Jeff Davidson is the world's only holder of the title "The Work-Life Balance Expert®" as awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is the premier thought leader on work-life balance, integration, and harmony. Jeff speaks to organizations that seek to enhance their overall productivity by improving the effectiveness of their people. He is the author of Breathing Space, Simpler Living, Dial it Down, and Everyday Project Management. Visit www.BreathingSpace.com for more information on Jeff's keynote speeches and seminars, including: Managing the Pace with Grace® * Achieving Work-Life Balance™ * Managing Information and Communication Overload®

Join the conversation!

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.