Technoshock? Yikes!!

Susan Cartier-Liebel has a great post on "technoshock". It is, in short, when you feel overwhelmed by the technology you need (and you are in solo practice).  Susan defines it as, "when the advancement of technology is so fast-paced that it outstrips the ability of the individual to comprehend it".

Here is the truth of the matter.  I am not a nurd or a geek.  I feel a sense of technoshock every single day.  But, technoshock is really about apprehension.  It is kind of like your first semester of law school in that regard.  It is not the test at the end of the semester that kills you, it is all of the apprehension leading up to it.  You just have to dive in and operate on faith to a degree that everything will turn out alright.

There are a couple of tips that I have learned, however, that I will be happy to share with you.

First, K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid).  You do not need to focus on software that has an operation manual thicker than most guided missile systems.  Quit focusing on the software and hardware on the market, and just step back and think of your practice in practical terms.  What can you do to make what you do a little bit easier?  Then just keep an eye out for simple little programs that can help.  Sometimes you do not need TimeMatters and God knows what else.  For example, I could go out and buy a complicated document formating system for my few cases and spend decades trying to learn it.  I just employed the SQL (read mail merge system) for Word.  It is simple to use.  I can then think through some of my documents to see what information I need to maintain.  Do no look for something complicated.  If something is easier and will do 75%-80% what you want to do, go with the easier option.  Also, the easier options are usually FREE or much cheaper. They are certainly cheaper to maintain.

Second, look for browser based software or systems that you can combine and use.  Here is the big secret in tech.  Everything is moving toward being browser based.  Browser based systems are usually more intuitive.  They are more reliable.  Also, you can access the data from anywhere you have access to broadband.  Sure, you still need some storage, but you do not have to worry about the software being available to you, no matter where you are located.  If you need an extranet look at Basecamp. If you need calendaring, word processing, or spreadsheets (for simple timekeeping for example) you have to look no further than Google.  Also, these Google applications are FREE.

Then, the best advice is to just dive in.  If you follow the KISS and Browser formulas it is not that hard, but the only way you can bring it together is to just start using the system.  You will have some fits and starts, but it will be okay.  That is part of learning.

If all else fails then simply ask a freakin' teenager for help!  Do not be embarrassed.  They grew up with tech.  It is second natured to them.  The first computer I bought I needed help finding the on/off switch.  When I could not figure out how to set up an Excel spreadsheet my daughter, then in high school, showed me in 10 minutes.  Give them a few bucks so they will not tell anybody that you needed their help.

 

Hey, unlike law school you do not have recitation.

Good luck.