Technology Requires Patience, Perseverance, and Critical Thinking

I was born in 1980, before cell phones, personal computers, or even email and social media. The world was more simple back then. We played outside with neighborhood kids, drank from the hose, and built forts and Lego empires with our imaginations instead of big kits and fancy toys. But what I’ve learned over these years in my 30’s and now 40’s is that technology requires patience… and critical thinking, both of which I’ve had to learn. And both of which generations older than me often get frustrated trying to apply.

Unless you can relinquish the job to an IT manager, wearing the technology hat in your business is a must. But just because my work is primarily digital and requires technology tools doesn’t mean I am the go-to expert, or least of all the most patient person.

I have learned by mistake, trial and error, and by clicking before reading or scrolling and pushing buttons instead of slowing down and paying attention to what I’m looking at and trying to do.

Through it all, what I have recognized is that technology is fallible and the best way to learn really is to dive in, dig around, and click things. Using your critical thinking skills to consider where to access information, determine what is happening, and then making decisions to move forward is necessary lest you learn the long and hard way.

Even though I’ve used technology since the beginning, as it has grown and adapted and improved, I’ve grown and adapted and improved with it. As we learn certain things about new technology applications and devices, we apply what we’ve learned before and use critical thinking to figure out the best solutions.

Somewhere along the way though, there is a slightly older generation that hasn’t adopted technology as quickly as my generation has. That means they don’t have near the amount of experience using it and the pace with which it has grown can be an overwhelming block or barrier to entry.

Whereas most generations younger than me have been using technology almost since birth. I can’t even comprehend what life would have been like had I been glued to a tablet or device from the age of 2 or 3, like my nieces and nephews have.

While it isn’t a service Propel offers, any time I’m working with anyone to help them with a device, platform, or system the first thing I find myself saying is “slow down and consider what you’re trying to do”. It is so common for us to just want something done or want some system to work for us that we click before reading or dive down the rabbit hole before understanding or considering where we are and what’s available.

Remember these important tips when navigating technology that’s new to you:

• Patience is key.
• Using past experience with other platforms is a very useful practice.
• Keep calm.
• Look around and observe all options.
• If you need to step away, take a break.

And don’t worry, technology is only just beginning, so there are many more future opportunities to put these tips into practice! 😉