Last week, my broadband connection went AWOL, leaving me without email, internet or any of the associated information and communication technology that’s essential for running a business these days.

At first, this was nothing more than a minor inconvenience, a small setback that was overcome by taking the laptop to a coffee shop with free WiFi. However, there’s a limit to how much latte one can drink and, having caught up on my emails  and phone calls, I returned to the office to complete as much off-line work as I could think of.

In the end, I was reduced to updating files and straightening shelves – not especially productive, I admit, but quite therapeutic – until eventually, there was no escaping the awful truth: I had nothing else to do. Try as I might, I couldn’t think of anything more that needed doing and I was faced with the unfamiliar prospect of an afternoon of enforced idleness.

And it was great! I read, listened to music, had a long soak in the bath, scoffed cookies, watched some daytime TV, enjoyed a glass of wine. I was completely cut off from my business physically, emotionally and mentally. It was an afternoon of relaxation and quiet self-indulgence and I don’t remember the last time I had the time to take time away from the business and give it to Me.

The experience made me realise that all this technology we employ to save time has in fact stolen time from us because it’s enslaved us into believing that we must use it to be doing something – anything – every second of every day. Look around you at all the people on their mobiles – they can’t even take the time to cross a road, stand in a queue or buy groceries at the supermarket without sending or receiving conversations, emails, text, games, music and the rest, It’s like they’re addicted to and enslaved by the technology that’s meant to liberate them by giving them time to do other stuff.

From experience, it’s a story that’s repeated in just about every office in the country where good, conscientious people feel they need to “plug themselves in” to their PCs for more hours per day than is good for them.

My friends, it’s time to start weaning ourselves off our dependence. We don’t HAVE to be constantly doing something – anything. The machines are supposed to be our servants and helpers, not our masters. So, starting today, starting NOW, let’s switch off our computers and phones, even if it’s only for five minutes, and give some attention and some quality time to something REALLY matters– ourselves.