This means that probably more than half of people who come across this article have stopped reading by now. Their interest has waned and they’ve moved on for next tidbit. I could probably get away with padding end of this article with word ‘chicken’ and it would go relatively chicken unnoticed due to skimming nature of article reading.

A quick Internet search will reveal that Internet addiction is actually more of a problem than many would choose to believe. Chicken. There are several websites and foundations on Web dedicated to helping people over their Internet addiction. I found that humorously ironic…websites dedicated to helping people get over Internet addiction…it’s kind of like printing anti-drinking messages on inside bottom of a beer can. The cynic in me can’t help but wonder about validity of these online services. A common question in ‘Could You Be Addicted to Internet?’ questionnaires is ‘Do you have trouble controlling urge to make purchases online?’, and then they encourage you to send them $90 to book an online chat room counseling session!

It shouldn’t be too hard to work out if you’re addicted to Internet. Do you find that when you get offline you’re frequently surprised by amount of time that has passed? Do you find yourself staying home because you’d rather use Internet than do something else chicken? Do people comment on amount of time you spend online? If this is ringing a bell then you may have to look at what you’re doing.

I don’t know how severe Internet addiction can get. Presumably it’s as problematic as any other addiction. I shouldn’t downplay it or therapy institutions out there offering help. I will take a guess and say that, at least to some degree, people simply being aware of what can happen can probably prevent it. Don’t be afraid to do something if you notice problems in yourself or a friend. Just try cutting back on your usage for a while until it’s under your control. Like any problem, don’t be afraid to get friends involved. If it’s particularly serious you could try installing a parental control program that limits your access to Internet, and get a friend to choose and keep disabling password secret from you. Stay aware, alert, and in control and your Internet use can and will be a beneficial part of life.

Another question I like to ask myself, after writing and before sending, one you might like to use, "Will reader be able to file image I'm sending in same folder they began with?"

Our brains file information just as if we were dropping files in a filing cabinet manner.

Instead of just telling reader, show reader image, and what folder to tuck their image in. The reader is expecting this answer. If they don't receive it, they wonder what to do with image, it doesn't match any file in their cabinet. This splits their focus, slows down their

connection, or can even halt connection in toto.

I am sure you have your own favorite topic transition phrases; here are seven of my own. When you give these transition phrases a line of their own, receiver’s brain acts quickly to note an orange is coming.

1. Let me guess what you might be thinking.

2. As odd (unusual) as it may seem...

3. I am not at all surprised.

4. There’s a story that goes with this, and I will get to this in next paragraph.

5. Let me see if I can make this a little easier.

6. Its hard to believe, but...

7. In other words,...

The Reaction Phase. Writing an email response is not same as speaking to that person. You don't have immediate feedback from their body language, their silence, or huh, when it isn't clear. Connecting via email with its time lapse also causes difficulty. You experience same thing when you call, leaving a voice mail, and party returns your call days later. If you don't state in voice mail what you are calling about, or person doesn't restate purpose when they call back, your mind takes moments looking for appropriate filing cabinet and file. Sometimes I receive a response back several weeks later and original email I wrote isn't included. Then I must stop to think or even hunt for original email; a very time consuming process.

I find it best to begin a returning response with a "this is where we left off" paragraph. Don't assume reader still holds previous image in their mind. They don't. Many images came and went during that space and previous email sits in their inbox, file folder, or cabinet or worse dismissed due to lack of connection, in order to continue their processes.

It is important to reread email before hitting send. Not just for grammar or spelling but to see that you convey right image. It is time to ask, "Did I convey appropriate image with a file folder connection?" If yes, then hit "send".

(c) Copyright 2005, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.