May 14, 2008 144 Comments

A Day Without Twitter

birds Yesterday, I took the day off from Twitter. I’ve been using it fairly solidly since the early days, and wanted to get a feel for what I was counting on Twitter to do for me. The results were interesting:

  • I count on Twitter for group answers. A LOT. For instance, I needed to know who from the social media scene was in Detroit. I ended up using LinkedIn, but I know that means I missed a bunch of folks.
  • I count on Twitter as a way to express quick, random thoughts, or to mention references to cultural items to which I know people will respond. (For instance, I like tweeting parts of song lyrics, because it’s fun when people pick the song up as a reply).
  • I use Twitter to promote other people. While I was dark, I got no less than 14 requests to promote fundraising causes, and 12 general promotion requests.
  • I use Twitter to promote myself, my blog, things I’m doing.

A day without Twitter didn’t give me more time to write. It gave me fewer distractions, but I don’t sit around and LABOR on Twitter when I write something. Often times, I can just jot something from my mobile in between meetings, or I pop the window open, reply to a few folks, and then go back to my work. Meaning, I don’t find Twitter to be a time suck to me.

I’m wondering if I should try my “a day without” on other services, like email, or my BlackBerry.

Have you tried things like this? What would you lose if you didn’t have Twitter?

Photo Credit, Zed.Cat

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  • http://www.managingthegray.com C.C. Chapman

    I took a two day Twitter vacation last week. I missed a lot of the same things you did. The biggest being the quick and instant feedback to questions I might had.

    Like you I don’t labor over what I Tweet. I pop open the window as a thought hits me, write it, post it and go on about my day. True stream of consciousness for me. I only have to think if I go over the 140.

    Take a weekend and leave everything off. You’d be amazed how good this feels. I keep my phone on for any true emergency, but don’t check e-mail, twitter, or anything. Completely unplug. Trust me, it’ll feel good and you won’t miss as much as you might think you would.

  • http://www.shoppingcartqueen.com/blog Christina Hills

    I too find it easy to twitter, and does not distract me too much. I did, yesterday, keep twitter at a minimum, and it helped me focus. My favorite part about twitter is that I can do it from my cell phone. I’m out and about alot with my 7 year old, and it’s fun to tweet what I’m doing with her.

    I do find email a HUGE distraction, and love the days were I do not turn on email at all.

    Twitter is helping me find solutions to problems I’m having. I got a great one from TechLady that I had been searching for for 8 months!

    Twitter is my favorite social media tool. Hands down!

    -Christina
    “The Shopping Cart Queen”

  • http://www.shoppingcartqueen.com/blog Christina Hills

    I too find it easy to twitter, and does not distract me too much. I did, yesterday, keep twitter at a minimum, and it helped me focus. My favorite part about twitter is that I can do it from my cell phone. I’m out and about alot with my 7 year old, and it’s fun to tweet what I’m doing with her.

    I do find email a HUGE distraction, and love the days were I do not turn on email at all.

    Twitter is helping me find solutions to problems I’m having. I got a great one from TechLady that I had been searching for for 8 months!

    Twitter is my favorite social media tool. Hands down!

    -Christina
    “The Shopping Cart Queen”

  • http://www.shoppingcartqueen.com/blog Christina Hills

    I too find it easy to twitter, and does not distract me too much. I did, yesterday, keep twitter at a minimum, and it helped me focus. My favorite part about twitter is that I can do it from my cell phone. I’m out and about alot with my 7 year old, and it’s fun to tweet what I’m doing with her.

    I do find email a HUGE distraction, and love the days were I do not turn on email at all.

    Twitter is helping me find solutions to problems I’m having. I got a great one from TechLady that I had been searching for for 8 months!

    Twitter is my favorite social media tool. Hands down!

    -Christina
    “The Shopping Cart Queen”

  • http://www.twitter.com/alexandergordon Alex Gordon

    Chris,

    My two favorite things about Twitter are 1) outlet for quick thoughts, and it forces me to keep them to the point; 2) great networking for the tech/media/PR world I inhabit. Without 1 many of my ideas would probably not get out there — often get too busy to blog — and losing 1 would also slow 2, which is an important part of my job and personal interests.

    That said, having Twitter linked to my Facebook account has caused a little consternation among friends, but now that “is twittering” is gone I think it’s all good. I also like that it links with Britekite, etc.

    Alex

  • http://www.twitter.com/alexandergordon Alex Gordon

    Chris,

    My two favorite things about Twitter are 1) outlet for quick thoughts, and it forces me to keep them to the point; 2) great networking for the tech/media/PR world I inhabit. Without 1 many of my ideas would probably not get out there — often get too busy to blog — and losing 1 would also slow 2, which is an important part of my job and personal interests.

    That said, having Twitter linked to my Facebook account has caused a little consternation among friends, but now that “is twittering” is gone I think it’s all good. I also like that it links with Britekite, etc.

    Alex

  • http://www.twitter.com/alexandergordon Alex Gordon

    Chris,

    My two favorite things about Twitter are 1) outlet for quick thoughts, and it forces me to keep them to the point; 2) great networking for the tech/media/PR world I inhabit. Without 1 many of my ideas would probably not get out there — often get too busy to blog — and losing 1 would also slow 2, which is an important part of my job and personal interests.

    That said, having Twitter linked to my Facebook account has caused a little consternation among friends, but now that “is twittering” is gone I think it’s all good. I also like that it links with Britekite, etc.

    Alex

  • http://mediacreole.blogspot.com Aprille

    I was forced to miss Twitter after that upgrade where tweets weren’t showing up. Trapped in an annoying long meeting, I felt (as a newbie) that perhaps I was in the dark about a “movement” or something. I felt a bit lost and like I was shouting into space.

    Twitter doesn’t have to be a time suck. I usually check updates to break up the day, it’s a tie to the “real world” when traveling or in long training sessions.

    For me, it’d be easier to pass on email – it takes more time to process.

  • http://mediacreole.blogspot.com Aprille

    I was forced to miss Twitter after that upgrade where tweets weren’t showing up. Trapped in an annoying long meeting, I felt (as a newbie) that perhaps I was in the dark about a “movement” or something. I felt a bit lost and like I was shouting into space.

    Twitter doesn’t have to be a time suck. I usually check updates to break up the day, it’s a tie to the “real world” when traveling or in long training sessions.

    For me, it’d be easier to pass on email – it takes more time to process.

  • http://mediacreole.blogspot.com Aprille

    I was forced to miss Twitter after that upgrade where tweets weren’t showing up. Trapped in an annoying long meeting, I felt (as a newbie) that perhaps I was in the dark about a “movement” or something. I felt a bit lost and like I was shouting into space.

    Twitter doesn’t have to be a time suck. I usually check updates to break up the day, it’s a tie to the “real world” when traveling or in long training sessions.

    For me, it’d be easier to pass on email – it takes more time to process.

  • http://www.twitter.com/ellieeille Ellie Mirman

    Hi Chris,

    I love twitter for its quick and easy access to information and opinions. I find it’s as valuable as catching up on my Google Reader and when I miss a day I feel like I’ve missed out on some great news or links. Yesterday was also sad because a few people I follow, including yourself, were off for the day so it was a pretty quiet day in my twitterfeed… happy to see your tweets back.

    Ellie

  • http://www.twitter.com/ellieeille Ellie Mirman

    Hi Chris,

    I love twitter for its quick and easy access to information and opinions. I find it’s as valuable as catching up on my Google Reader and when I miss a day I feel like I’ve missed out on some great news or links. Yesterday was also sad because a few people I follow, including yourself, were off for the day so it was a pretty quiet day in my twitterfeed… happy to see your tweets back.

    Ellie

  • http://www.twitter.com/ellieeille Ellie Mirman

    Hi Chris,

    I love twitter for its quick and easy access to information and opinions. I find it’s as valuable as catching up on my Google Reader and when I miss a day I feel like I’ve missed out on some great news or links. Yesterday was also sad because a few people I follow, including yourself, were off for the day so it was a pretty quiet day in my twitterfeed… happy to see your tweets back.

    Ellie

  • http://suzysplace.net SuzysPlace

    I’m fairly new to twitter, but became quickly addicted. Found connections there that are more valuable than any Google search would have come up with.

    I use Twitter throughout the day as my little sanity break. Finish this big project, go tweet. Finish sorting all my email, go tweet. I agree with you in that it isn’t as much of a distraction because it’s so EASY to use. And it’s energy efficient. It doesn’t force me to think like responding to email does. It’s more of an outlet where I can be myself and that’s completely acceptable, whereas email requires more of a professional persona.

    I do take days off of email and those sorts of things (usually the weekends). But not from Twitter.

  • http://suzysplace.net SuzysPlace

    I’m fairly new to twitter, but became quickly addicted. Found connections there that are more valuable than any Google search would have come up with.

    I use Twitter throughout the day as my little sanity break. Finish this big project, go tweet. Finish sorting all my email, go tweet. I agree with you in that it isn’t as much of a distraction because it’s so EASY to use. And it’s energy efficient. It doesn’t force me to think like responding to email does. It’s more of an outlet where I can be myself and that’s completely acceptable, whereas email requires more of a professional persona.

    I do take days off of email and those sorts of things (usually the weekends). But not from Twitter.

  • http://suzysplace.net SuzysPlace

    I’m fairly new to twitter, but became quickly addicted. Found connections there that are more valuable than any Google search would have come up with.

    I use Twitter throughout the day as my little sanity break. Finish this big project, go tweet. Finish sorting all my email, go tweet. I agree with you in that it isn’t as much of a distraction because it’s so EASY to use. And it’s energy efficient. It doesn’t force me to think like responding to email does. It’s more of an outlet where I can be myself and that’s completely acceptable, whereas email requires more of a professional persona.

    I do take days off of email and those sorts of things (usually the weekends). But not from Twitter.

  • http://dancovington.com/kansas-business-attorney Dan Covington

    I have to say a day without RSS would be difficult (and would likely amp up my twittereading to feed my info-jones). But maybe it would have the effect of helping me to pare down the number of feeds I guzzle. I’ll have to give it a shot … but not today.

  • http://dancovington.com/kansas-business-attorney Dan Covington

    I have to say a day without RSS would be difficult (and would likely amp up my twittereading to feed my info-jones). But maybe it would have the effect of helping me to pare down the number of feeds I guzzle. I’ll have to give it a shot … but not today.

  • http://dancovington.com/kansas-business-attorney Dan Covington

    I have to say a day without RSS would be difficult (and would likely amp up my twittereading to feed my info-jones). But maybe it would have the effect of helping me to pare down the number of feeds I guzzle. I’ll have to give it a shot … but not today.

  • http://cellowireless.blogspot.com Robert Rowe

    As soon as my followers got above 20 or so, I quickly learned that it’s not life-threatening to miss a day or so of Twitter posts.
    Recently, we traveled with our high school music department to Disney (from Pennsylvania). As a staff member, I had my phone for emergencies, and I tried to Twitter here and there about our trip, but I practically ignored all incoming posts until I got back.
    It’s possible!

  • http://cellowireless.blogspot.com Robert Rowe

    As soon as my followers got above 20 or so, I quickly learned that it’s not life-threatening to miss a day or so of Twitter posts.
    Recently, we traveled with our high school music department to Disney (from Pennsylvania). As a staff member, I had my phone for emergencies, and I tried to Twitter here and there about our trip, but I practically ignored all incoming posts until I got back.
    It’s possible!

  • http://cellowireless.blogspot.com Robert Rowe

    As soon as my followers got above 20 or so, I quickly learned that it’s not life-threatening to miss a day or so of Twitter posts.
    Recently, we traveled with our high school music department to Disney (from Pennsylvania). As a staff member, I had my phone for emergencies, and I tried to Twitter here and there about our trip, but I practically ignored all incoming posts until I got back.
    It’s possible!

  • http://twitter.com/fein samantha

    One day a few years ago, I drove out of work and threw my two-way pager, my Palm Pilot, my cell phone, my *actual* Rolodex out the top of my convertible.

    I went one year without any of them.

    Today, we have a rule: no electronic devices between 6-8 p.m. in our house. That helps. :)

  • http://twitter.com/fein samantha

    One day a few years ago, I drove out of work and threw my two-way pager, my Palm Pilot, my cell phone, my *actual* Rolodex out the top of my convertible.

    I went one year without any of them.

    Today, we have a rule: no electronic devices between 6-8 p.m. in our house. That helps. :)

  • http://twitter.com/fein samantha

    One day a few years ago, I drove out of work and threw my two-way pager, my Palm Pilot, my cell phone, my *actual* Rolodex out the top of my convertible.

    I went one year without any of them.

    Today, we have a rule: no electronic devices between 6-8 p.m. in our house. That helps. :)

  • http://chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

    Zoe wanted to know what I learned without Twitter to the good:

    *I learned that our lives are a big pot, and that we keep that pot full no matter what we take out of it, which taught me the value of focusing on stuffing the pot with what matters most.

    *I learned that I like the people I’ve come to know through Twitter, and that I am glad that I’ve met lots of them in person.

    *I learned that it’s not AS vital to have Twitter as, say, email or phone. Going without that would be rough, so I’m glad to say I value my other forms of connectivity a bit more.

    There. That’s about all I have. It’d take a week to know more.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

    Zoe wanted to know what I learned without Twitter to the good:

    *I learned that our lives are a big pot, and that we keep that pot full no matter what we take out of it, which taught me the value of focusing on stuffing the pot with what matters most.

    *I learned that I like the people I’ve come to know through Twitter, and that I am glad that I’ve met lots of them in person.

    *I learned that it’s not AS vital to have Twitter as, say, email or phone. Going without that would be rough, so I’m glad to say I value my other forms of connectivity a bit more.

    There. That’s about all I have. It’d take a week to know more.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

    Zoe wanted to know what I learned without Twitter to the good:

    *I learned that our lives are a big pot, and that we keep that pot full no matter what we take out of it, which taught me the value of focusing on stuffing the pot with what matters most.

    *I learned that I like the people I’ve come to know through Twitter, and that I am glad that I’ve met lots of them in person.

    *I learned that it’s not AS vital to have Twitter as, say, email or phone. Going without that would be rough, so I’m glad to say I value my other forms of connectivity a bit more.

    There. That’s about all I have. It’d take a week to know more.

  • Monica aka RandomGirl

    Great post Chris. I personally feel I would lose some of my daily inspiration. I use it often as a think tank for ideas. More often than not as a ruler in regards to … everybody has those days. i.e. when EV’s laptop bag was caught in the door of his car – laptop demolished and missing along the express way…new cell phone strewn along side of road with missing reports and paperwork… Reading all of that I thought hmmm those days happen to all of us… I find it to be a balanced mix of social and analytical information.

  • Monica aka RandomGirl

    Great post Chris. I personally feel I would lose some of my daily inspiration. I use it often as a think tank for ideas. More often than not as a ruler in regards to … everybody has those days. i.e. when EV’s laptop bag was caught in the door of his car – laptop demolished and missing along the express way…new cell phone strewn along side of road with missing reports and paperwork… Reading all of that I thought hmmm those days happen to all of us… I find it to be a balanced mix of social and analytical information.

  • Monica aka RandomGirl

    Great post Chris. I personally feel I would lose some of my daily inspiration. I use it often as a think tank for ideas. More often than not as a ruler in regards to … everybody has those days. i.e. when EV’s laptop bag was caught in the door of his car – laptop demolished and missing along the express way…new cell phone strewn along side of road with missing reports and paperwork… Reading all of that I thought hmmm those days happen to all of us… I find it to be a balanced mix of social and analytical information.

  • http://www.sharinghope.tv David J. Neff

    Chris,
    I just got back from Thailand and Japan and I went 2 weeks without TV, Twitter, IM, email or my crackberry. It was AMAZING and I feel like a new person back at work today. Too often, as Americans, we take all that crap with us on vacation. After experiencing what I did that will never be the case again. Of course I had 952 emails as well..hehe.

  • http://www.sharinghope.tv David J. Neff

    Chris,
    I just got back from Thailand and Japan and I went 2 weeks without TV, Twitter, IM, email or my crackberry. It was AMAZING and I feel like a new person back at work today. Too often, as Americans, we take all that crap with us on vacation. After experiencing what I did that will never be the case again. Of course I had 952 emails as well..hehe.

  • http://www.sharinghope.tv David J. Neff

    Chris,
    I just got back from Thailand and Japan and I went 2 weeks without TV, Twitter, IM, email or my crackberry. It was AMAZING and I feel like a new person back at work today. Too often, as Americans, we take all that crap with us on vacation. After experiencing what I did that will never be the case again. Of course I had 952 emails as well..hehe.

  • http://rickmahn.com Rick Mahn

    I’m finding that Twitter is less a distraction for me than an excuse lately. I too jump in and out, and when really busy kind of ignore it a bit.

    As for other services – I’ve switched to an email monitoring model of processing my inbox twice a day. I do get email on my phone and will review the subjects to see what’s important, but process the bulk morning and afternoon.

  • http://rickmahn.com Rick Mahn

    I’m finding that Twitter is less a distraction for me than an excuse lately. I too jump in and out, and when really busy kind of ignore it a bit.

    As for other services – I’ve switched to an email monitoring model of processing my inbox twice a day. I do get email on my phone and will review the subjects to see what’s important, but process the bulk morning and afternoon.

  • http://rickmahn.com/ Rick Mahn

    I’m finding that Twitter is less a distraction for me than an excuse lately. I too jump in and out, and when really busy kind of ignore it a bit.

    As for other services – I’ve switched to an email monitoring model of processing my inbox twice a day. I do get email on my phone and will review the subjects to see what’s important, but process the bulk morning and afternoon.

  • http://cloudiD.com david usher

    i often wonder, is there is a world just outside “the noise”?
    we are so engulfed in all the things we think we need that its hard to know what serves us and make use servants.
    we north americans sure like to work.

  • http://cloudiD.com david usher

    i often wonder, is there is a world just outside “the noise”?
    we are so engulfed in all the things we think we need that its hard to know what serves us and make use servants.
    we north americans sure like to work.

  • http://cloudiD.com david usher

    i often wonder, is there is a world just outside “the noise”?
    we are so engulfed in all the things we think we need that its hard to know what serves us and make use servants.
    we north americans sure like to work.

  • cyndi meador

    O.K. I’m convinced and just became a new “Twitter-er”.
    We’ll see what happens in all the chirping.

  • cyndi meador

    O.K. I’m convinced and just became a new “Twitter-er”.
    We’ll see what happens in all the chirping.

  • cyndi meador

    O.K. I’m convinced and just became a new “Twitter-er”.
    We’ll see what happens in all the chirping.

  • http://www.twitter.com/JasonPeck Jason Peck

    If you like song lyrics, my friend developed a twitter service that tells you what the song is based on the lyrics. message @findasong “lyrics of whatever song you want” (without the quotes) and findasong will tell you want song you’re looking for. Still has a few bugs but I think it’s a cool thing.

  • http://www.twitter.com/JasonPeck Jason Peck

    If you like song lyrics, my friend developed a twitter service that tells you what the song is based on the lyrics. message @findasong “lyrics of whatever song you want” (without the quotes) and findasong will tell you want song you’re looking for. Still has a few bugs but I think it’s a cool thing.

  • http://www.twitter.com/JasonPeck Jason Peck

    If you like song lyrics, my friend developed a twitter service that tells you what the song is based on the lyrics. message @findasong “lyrics of whatever song you want” (without the quotes) and findasong will tell you want song you’re looking for. Still has a few bugs but I think it’s a cool thing.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

    @david – guaranteed that theres life beyond the glass. : )

  • http://chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

    @david – guaranteed that theres life beyond the glass. : )

  • http://chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

    @david – guaranteed that theres life beyond the glass. : )

  • http://www.davistudio.blogspot.com Mary Anne Davis

    I tried a day without technology once, that was kind of interesting, like a sabbath. I may try that again. Twitter is something I don’t use much as you, but I do use it more than 99% of my friends. My work is hands on, not online, so I do take time away from my core activity. I am still learning how to integrate a lot of these tools into my life in a more whole way, not as a distraction but as a compliment to my activities and my work.

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