Have you tried turning it off and turning it back on again?
Photograph by Nubelson Fernandes via Unsplash
Rev. Margaret Marcuson
A classic first step with a technology problem: turn it off and turn it on again. Or even unplug or shut it off and wait one minute.
The British TV series, “The IT Crowd,” features an IT team. They’ve been relegated to the basement of a corporate high-rise. Their standard first question is “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” They even have a recording to answer the phone and ask that question. Check out this brief video of examples from the show.
It’s not only a joke. It frequently works with tech glitches.
Turning it off to sleep
Turning it off and turning it on again is not just about technology. It’s also about our brains. We need sleep. Sleep helps with learning and memory consolidation, emotional regulation, judgment and decision making, problem solving, energy conservation, growth and healing, and immunity, to name a few of its many benefits (see this article from the Sleep Foundation for more).
What are your real sleep needs? I’ve always had a low tolerance for sleep deprivation. For years, I viewed it as a curse. If only I needed less sleep, I thought. Now we have research on the importance of sleep for the brain and bodily health. And I think my need for sleep is a blessing.
Turning it off and turning it on again is not just about technology. It’s also about our brains. We need sleep.
Exhausted leaders don’t make good decisions. They don’t bring their best creative thinking to their work. They get cranky with other people. If you want to do your best work, try resting more. You may find you actually get more done.
Turning it off for more creativity
Turning off your work on a project and turning it on again later can help your creativity. Even if you don’t go to sleep.
When I was preaching every week, I tried to draft my sermon by Thursday. Here’s how it usually went. I wrote the draft. Then I thought, this is terrible. And took my day off on Friday. Somehow on Saturday it didn’t seem so bad. Or I could see how to fix it.
I still do it with articles like this one. I write and then let it sit, even for a few minutes. Overnight is better. Sometimes it needs a lot of work. Sometimes it doesn’t (surprise!) But the break and the rest help turn on more creativity.
Turning it off for more peace
Two bonus ideas for turning it off and turning it on again:
1. Headlines. Turn them off for yourself. They may not get better. But you may be better able to deal with the realities of our world. Then you can take another look at a time you choose.
2. Difficult conversations. It’s OK to say, “I have to take a break. Can we talk about it again tomorrow?” Set a time so the other person knows you are committed to continuing. You both may be in a new place by the time you pick it up.
Here are some questions to consider:
How much sleep do you get?
What do you do when you get too tired? (Get irritable, indecisive, eat too much…)
How did your family of origin view rest? How do you think about it for yourself?
Genesis says even God rested on the seventh day. It’s biblical!
Rev. Margaret Marcuson is an American Baptist minister and author of several books, including the recent “Sustainable Ministry: How to Lead (and When to Nap).”
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
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