We're Getting More Efficient. But Are We Getting More Effective?
For more than a century, technology has promised to make our lives easier. The washing machine reduced the burden of household chores. Computers accelerated information processing. Today, artificial intelligence promises to complete tasks that once consumed hours of our working day.
Yet despite these advances, many of us feel busier than ever. Our calendars are full, messages demand immediate responses, and expectations continue to rise. If technology keeps saving us time, where does all that time go?
I recently read an insightful Financial Times article by economist Tim Harford, Liberated by Technology (Again). His historical perspective raises an important question for business owners: Are we using technology to improve our businesses and our lives, or simply to increase what we expect of ourselves?
Consider the washing machine. As washing became easier, expectations of cleanliness increased. People began washing clothes more frequently, consuming some of the time they had saved.
We see the same pattern in business. Email made communication faster, yet we exchange more messages than ever. Smartphones allow us to work from almost anywhere, but they also create expectations of constant availability. Technology reduces the effort required for individual tasks while expanding the number of tasks we undertake.
We become more efficient, but not necessarily more effective.
