I had a dreadful experience the other day.
In my rush to get to the airport, I left home with that vague feeling I’d forgotten something.
At the check-in counter, I ran through what I needed for the day’s business.
Board papers – check. Book to read on the flight – check. Reading glasses – check.
Maybe I had been imagining things.
I relaxed and reached for my smart phone. There was enough time to check my emails before boarding.
Phone.
The phone that wasn’t in my pocket. The phone that I’d set to recharge while I was in the shower, and that was still on the bench at home.
No time to go home for it. I would have to manage that day without my mobile phone.
A whole day! Well, enough of the day to mean I’d not be able to use the phone till late evening when I returned home.
I was surprised at my reaction. I felt naked without the phone. But why?
Hell, until the eighties, I and others managed quite well without a mobile phone and I’m sure I’d manage for just one day.
If calls went to my voicemail, so be it. If I needed to make any must-make calls, I’d use a landline.
As the day wore on, my unease lessened. I gradually thought less of what I was missing in the way of email traffic, and stopped imagining the calls to my unanswered phone.
Instead, my brain started to use the spare capacity to think … think about other stuff.
I had an idea for a new product. Then a couple of ideas about how to solve a problem I’d been putting off a while. It all went onto a sheet of paper, scribbled notes to take home with me.
By the time I was re-united with my phone that evening, I had several sheets of paper, all covered with notes of ideas.
I felt it had been a productive day.
And I wondered how many of those ideas would have remained buried if I’d been able to use my phone to check messages, make calls and check emails.
Next time I’m travelling for the day, I’m going to turn off my phone and check it only once during the day.
Ideas are more important.
PHOTO – Daniele Marlenek
