My fiance and I were out to eat at a restaurant.
We were seated, and we began to look over the menu.
I took a moment to look around at the layout of the restaurant, the decor, and something caught my eye.
Nearly every single table, people were staring into their cell phones.
One table had a young couple still waiting for their food, each looking at their phones.
Another table had a family with food on the table, and both kids were on tablets.
The mother was feeding the youngest one, who was watching his tablet…
And the father was eating with one hand and holding his phone with the other.
It was difficult to find a table where people WEREN’T on their cell phones.
In that moment…
I didn’t feel judgmental…
I didn’t feel angry…
I didn’t feel annoyed…
I felt sad.
Sad that people weren’t connecting.
Sad that families were so distracted and not present with one another.
Sad that if we don’t do something different, the future of humanity will be one where people are isolated and disconnected from one another.
You know how often the average person is on their cell phone?
Studies suggest it’s somewhere between 3.5 to 4.5 hours a day, and it’s expected to only get worse in a short period.
You’re awake for roughly 16 hours.
That means that if you’re spending 4.5 hours on your phone…
Nearly 30% of the time, you’re staring at a small screen rather than engaging with actual reality.
This is not accounting for time on a computer or tablet, by the way.
My hope is that this email wakes you up to the need for intentionality when it comes to how you use your devices.
Phones are not all bad.
They allow us to stay informed, be more organized, and keep in contact with people who are important to us.
However, when your phone has taken control of your attention, and you’re at the mercy of every notification…
You lose your ability to connect with the world around you.
I invite you to set rules for yourself, my friend.
Commit to times when you won’t have your cell phone around you.
Decide on when you’re phone will be on silent, or even completely turned off!
(I know, sounds scary, right?)
Every time I invite someone to do this, and they take me up on it…
They tell me how much better their life is when their attention isn’t being pulled left and right by every ding or vibrate of this little device we carry around.
They always tell me how much happier, more peaceful, and productive they are when they commit to these rules.
So…
Will you take me up on this?
Are you ready to regain control of your attention?
Rooting for you,
Jay (encouraging you to take control of your attention)
