Last week I sent out a BBM broadcast to my loyal Blackberry friends notifying them I would be leaving the community. It was time for an upgrade and Blackberry was not part of my next move! 90% of the responses assumed I now had an Iphone. Either they would be joining me soon or expressed their satisfaction in my choice.
But I am not getting an IPHONE... or any other smart phone for that matter.
But is that a smart move?
I recently wrote a blog on my experience of spending a few days without my Blackberry after it had crashed. It was a liberating experience where I enjoyed a slower pace and more space. I realised in that short amount of time that turning my phone on was almost the same as turning on the world. In an instant I was connected to clients, friends, news, information, tweets...
As much as I love everything about technology it had invaded my world and had the potential to rob me of being present and enjoying what I love the most. I had to think about what really counted and then make a decision about how to make it count!
So I got a plain and simple Nokia C5.
So far the response has been interesting. Some have given me a few months before I get over it! Some have told me its embarrassing! Even the Vodacom salesmen couldn’t believe it! Now when everyone puts their phones down on the table, mine will rest alongside its bigger more sophisticated brothers!
An eye opener had been how often I reach for my new phone and search for something to do on it - a habitual pattern! With no attractive offerings the phone seems to slowly only find my hands to make a call or read a text.
So why did I do it?
To make a statement - No.
To try and get everyone else to do the same - No.
The answer is simple. I know myself. I know what is most NB to me. And I know what I need to do in order to put myself squarely in the middle of what is most NB to me.
If it means letting go of ‘stuff’ that I enjoy then so be it.
As long as I do what I need to do to remain focussed on what really counts.
So thats my challenge (and it may not involve your phone!)
What clutter can you strip away in order to remain present & focussed on what really counts on a daily basis?
__________
Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com