A friend recently told me that his wife had gotten mad at him at dinner the previous night, and I asked for details. It turns out that he received a call from a client during dinner, and he took the call. I asked a few more question, and he explained that he felt a need to take the call simply because his phone was ringing. I pointed out that answering a call during dinner likely made his wife feel as if the client were more important than she is.
Chances are that disaster is not going to strike while you are at dinner. Chances are that a call can go to voicemail without any negative repercussions. Unfortunately, we have programed ourselves to act as if an incoming call (or text) is more important than whatever else is happening at that moment. I have noticed this to be especially true now that so many people are wearing internet and cell phone connected watches on their wrist.
We have allowed our phones to take over our lives, and we willingly accept our addiction. Technology is not the problem; our behavior is. Did you know that 67 percent of people have reported that they check their phones for messages (texts or calls) even when their phone has not rung or vibrated?
The phone is a powerful and useful tool if we take charge of its usage and don’t allow it to control us. Yet there are simple changes we can make to positively impact our habits and relationships. For instance, leave your phone in the car when you go to dinner with friends, your spouse, or your significant other. Leave your phone in your office while attending meetings. To avoid the temptation of checking email and texts while you drive, which has been proven to be six times more dangerous than drinking and driving, put your phone in your backpack, or even your trunk, to eliminate the temptation.
Don’t try to merely resist temptation, completely avoid it! Your phone is killing your interactions with others and your productivity. The habits are yours to change. If we are not intentional about the habits we form, our habits will form us. Be proactive and take charge of your cell phone.
If you would like to know more on how to increase your top-line revenue and maximize your bottom-line profit, give me a call.
garyfurr@garyfurrconsulting.com
503-312-3145
Leave a Reply