Recently I was sitting at the BWI airport waiting on a delayed flight home. As I looked around me at all the other passengers, a bizarre thought crossed my mind. If a bunch of Martians were doing recon on earthlings, figuring out a strategy to take us over, the report might look something like this:
Earthlings are a feeble and pathetic species. Their source of life and energy emanates from a small, rectangular object they hold about 18 inches from their face. Energy pulsates from the device in increments based on the speed of their thumb sweeping from bottom to top. Based on the energy pulse, they seem to be either pleased or annoyed. This device is used primarily by those humans in the age range of 10 to 60, but a few of the older ones use the device too, with the thumb action taking place slower. Our best guess as a strategy to take over the planet is to simply remove these rectangular devices. This would leave earthlings powerless to defend themselves.
I admit I was tired and a bit annoyed at the flight delay, but is my assessment that far off?
The Fall season is most closely identified by the leaves changing colors and dropping off. Those leaves decay and compost, building up the quality of the soil to support life in the Spring. Maybe all of us should think about some things to drop off as we hit this season.
May I suggest The Phone?
Yeah I’m as addicted to it as anyone. On a recent trip to Connecticut, my phone wouldn’t charge and I had to go without one for about 36 hours until Verizon shipped me a replacement. Talk about withdrawals!
But a strange thing happened. After about 4 hours, I felt less stressed and more alive! I must admit I was sort of disappointed when the replacement arrived. But it made me think about what I gained by not being tethered to that device. And whether I could cut down on my use.
Which brings us the big question: Do you charge your device or does it charge you?
If it does, then what are you charging your own personal batteries with?
- Audio or electronic books or Facebook rants?
- Quality articles on LinkedIn or reading the posts of humble braggarts (honored to be the keynote speaker at….)?
- Fantasy football stats or a quality article about investing for retirement?
- YouTube videos on cats playing the piano or videos on how to be a great boss?
- Instagram stories from your frenemies, or a guided meditation to help you de-stress?
- Opinionated news reports or a useful and uplifting podcast?
Earlier this year I dropped all social media from my phone. It was nice. It was difficult. I added back Instagram (to respond to people who follow us) and LinkedIn (to tag our appearances at conferences and connect to my network) but left off the Facebook. I just get too annoyed reading about friends who brag on their smart kids, endless vacations, and political rants.
So this Fall, would you consider a reconsideration of your phone? I’m doing that hard work now. Will you join me? Plug your phone in the wall to charge it, but maybe we can all plug into something more uplifting and useful to get our own batteries back to full capacity.
What do you think?
