My system is freezing
You have been working on your computer for days and suddenly the system freezes. You call IT support and almost 100% of the time, they will ask if you have tried to reboot. If not, you will most certainly hear the infamous words "please reboot and try again and let me know if the problem continues". Whether on a personal computer, satellite receiver or smart phone, there is a point when tech support will say the inevitable, especially if, you had worked long and hard on a computer without auto saving (fortunately you can recover your work sometimes). Why do the all knowing specialists say we must do this first before they get up and attend to the problem? Apparently, a reboot fixes a lot of minor system glitches that have developed and accumulated over time, though it may in some cases reveal deeper problems that have also developed. The problems cause a device to freeze or fail to open certain programs and functions simultaneously slowing performance. A lot of times the reboot trick works because, as soon as the reboot is complete, you get a smile from a frown, relief from stress and progress once more. Switch off and back on, or reboot, and the machine seems to find recover. Rebooting enables the system to check itself, reset and reconfigure before continuing.
Gremlins in the system
In hindsight of my prior inspirational posts such as Being Extraordinary, Can you do more, Journey to greatness and Get up, get over it and get going to name but a few, I thought about the quiet and unproductive but, most imperative and critical times of life. The times when a reboot is required in one form or another. The time when because of all the system processes running in the background, your performance has rather slowed down and your feel frozen and unproductive. The reboot phases of human nature, when everything maybe is not working out as planned, or not making sense and you cannot push anymore or set goals and do more. You have mapped out, planned, implemented and executed but results did not materialise, or they went the opposite way. When disillusionment and dis-orientation kicks in and you feel like everything is passing you by in fast forward mode while you are standing still watching. How do you get a fix on yourself to get back on track and start moving again? Could it be possible that there is a way that we as people switch off and on again (reboot), to get our processors back on track and functioning optimally again? I think there are times when you just need to clear out your mind of everything that has accumulated over time. Take yourself out of your own shot as it were, and take the director's chair and watch and figure out whether the scene is taking shape or not.
The fix
As much as the mind is such a powerful organ and tool, capable of all these complex functions all at once, I believe a reboot is needed every now and then. When one archives and put into perspective the overload of issues, be it successes, failures, hurts, joys, disappointments and celebrations, which could be slowing the system down and making the current shot freeze. That short time of switching off and back on again, is way shorter than the time it would take to try and push on with a clogged system. Do you reboot through a morning mediation process, yoga, annual retreat or vacation, or do you in fact get someone to come and reboot your system like an IT guy would come and try fix that problem, in which case it could be a near crash. Reboot exercises improve your performance and make you feel better and more ready to face each day. It breaks the monotony and pressure of life issues and resets your system. A reboot is better than a total system crash as, many times it means your system is still functioning, but needs to clear up and start again with better memory, goals, and perspective. You need to get things working again, but inevitably, or in fact, good for you, you have to take that 5 or 10 minute break (which could be days, months or a year for some), while the system reconfigures and starts up again. It may seem like a bad thing slowing you down, if you deem yourself as being behind, but it is way better than a total system collapse, when you cannot proceed at all and everything comes to a complete stop, and so it is a yes from me. Rebooting every once in a while before we push on with those endeavours. What are your experiences with the rebooting phases of your life? I hope it was not near death experiences.
Hi Welli. It has been proven time and again that a person can accomplish more in 48 fully charged weeks than in 52 burned out weeks and even a short mental break is useful every day. Whether we look at it as a system needing a reboot or an overheated engine the principle seems the same. The more we re-boot the less the likelihood of a fatal error. A periodic review of old files and their relevance is also in order. You are right and back on track
ReplyDeleteIndeed Paul. Maintenance mode helps renew performance. Was I out on a tangent?
DeleteThis was a lesson I had to learn last year. Upon the new year, I had to make the necessary changes to make sure that I not only remembered to care for myself but to also step away to refuel. Ever since then, I've saved myself from many burned out nights and days of working nonstop. When you begin to forget to eat... something is serious lol.
ReplyDeleteYes burned out nights are usually where we crash because we over work. Are you sure you forgot to eat or you were dieting as well Neosha lol.
DeleteNever was this made more clear to me than in my recent role as one of 5 producers of a writer's conference. I had to take a full week to ...re-boot!
ReplyDeleteYes with the "thingie" and crywifi lol. Hope you are now fully charged Jacquie
DeleteRebooting on computers is much like doing it in life. Hopefully we recognize the need to do this before being too frustrated.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed Berth, and it certainly helps reduce the strain and frustration.
DeleteHi Welli - this is an important post. So often we feel we are the only one to do a certain job that we forget to take time out to 'reboot'. Failing that only leads to further failure later.
ReplyDeleteLenie
You bring an important point Lenie. Delegating, which many people cannot do, or their jobs make it hard to do as well. But then reboot is needed
DeleteCompletely agree. Rebooting regularly is part of my life style and I do this by getting out of town to somewhere new, relax, and enjoy my environment. I do this when I am traveling constantly or working hard at home. An absolute requirement of healthy living.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt Tim. Your posts do speak of healthy sprinkles of reboot.
DeleteJust yesterday I did a personal reboot! My editor is in the final phase of the process and emailed me chapters 1 to 4 for final revisions. Yikes! I started one chapter and it took me some time to sort through - 4 editors remarks and then, make my decision to change or not to change. After that I decided to take a day off before I picked up with another chapter. It was my way of "rebooting" as you call it, on what is a deadline oriented, but manageable task right now. Great analogy!
ReplyDeleteOver from LI group BHB
Deadlines do make the reboot constrained I am sure, as you have a time limit. But you did great especially for final revision of that type of work, it helps bring that fresh perspective and eye into things and enhances quality.
DeleteHi Welli,
ReplyDeleteMany people deplete their energy by trying to continue without rebooting.
Experience tells me that we all need down time. A sudden interruption is sometimes exactly what we need. How many times do we ignore and sacrifice our own body signals in the name of being busy?
There is also the ESC key... we can picture it as an escape from our limiting routines. There is also CTRL-ALT-DELETE. Control our thoughts, alternate our habits and delete the garbage we've accumulated. In other circles, that's a data dump.
Kind Regards,
Bill
You have taken it further in a great way there Bill. I like the data dump
DeleteWelli, This is a great post. I use to tell my team at my old job that they need to take a day off after we finished our product release. There is nothing like taking a mental health day and just doing absolutly nothing. there is nothing like a mental reboot...
ReplyDeleteDoing nothing is doing something. That is the irony.
DeleteThe worst part is when you realize you need a reboot too late and you are stuck in a position where you cannot give yourself that break. Hopefully in time a person can become aware enough of themselves to know when their limit has been reached.
ReplyDeleteNow that is a fix, a crash could be imminent there.
DeleteThe gym is my only reboot.
ReplyDeleteI also use iron William, as it can take whatever gremlins I bring, but sometimes I go further than gym to reboot.
DeleteYou have to reboot from time to time. People do it in different ways though.
ReplyDeleteWe have to reboot not only our computers but ourselves all the time. If not we will stop working to the best of our abilities.
ReplyDeleteTaking time for myself daily is at the top of the list. We all need a break to reboot our minds and souls.
ReplyDeleteBoy Howdy. I so get this. I have been in a serious need of taking a break. I have been involved in consolidating two households and maintaining my blogging activities at the same time. I crashed and burned. I was told by my doctor and my husband I needed to take a break. So I guess you could say I am doing just that, rebooting that is. :-)
ReplyDeleteWel great thing is you are alive Susan, and nothing is more important than learning the lesson and adopting for future. At least you have the warning signal holders, please do listen to them.
DeleteI reboot through morning meditation. I believe rebooting is critical and can't imagine not rebooting. This is a great post and very creative. It shows you have rebooted on many levels. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. Morning work quite well as you have a clearer mind to work with.
DeleteHello Welli
ReplyDeleteReboot is as necessary for us as for machines. It brings updates that make things more effective.
I try to reboot myself by worshiping my Creator everyday. I put my head on ground and let all negativity , depression to shift to earth and try to take as much energy as possible to charge me.
Creative post again. Thanks for sharing.
Anna I also consider my time with God as a good reboot episode as it gives me fresh perspective.
DeleteI have burned the candle at both ends. I would have a meltdown or just freak out before. I knew I needed to take a break but the will in me to win was strong. Now, I give myself a break and chill out. It is not worth it at the end of the day. Great metaphor and great advice. =)
ReplyDeleteWhat you say about worth is true Crystal. Anything has worth to us if we are actually alive and well to value it, otherwise it becomes worthless.
DeleteI love the analogy. We all have to reboot our system at some point, take deep breath and start over or the system gets slower and slower. I try to go for a walk everyday, it improves my mood and makes me think better.
ReplyDelete