There’s a popular scene showing right now and I bet you’ve been there or more than likely “done that”.
The scene . . . a person waiting, talking on their cell or scrolling through a whole mess of “stuff” on their smart phone.
I’ve even seen people waiting for flights at 5:30 in the morning talking on their cell.
Note: I would love to snatch their phone to see if someone is really on the other end at that hour. I see it playing out two ways
1) “Aha . . . just as I suspected . . . there’s nobody there. You faked the freakin call because God forbid you had to sit here alone like the rest of us”
2) “Oh, there really is someone here. Well God bless you for talking with this person at 5:30 am . . . are you an inmate?”
Seriously though, I totally understand multitasking but I wonder how much of it is necessary and how much of it is us getting sucked into the technology vortex or perhaps a deeper problem . . .
Maybe we’re running so fast that when things quiet, we don’t know what to do with ourselves?
Taking time to quiet your mind can be a good thing.
Having some time to yourself can be pretty freakin cool too!
Today you are cordially invited to go take yourself out to lunch, a cup of coffee or even for a nice quiet escape to a park bench.
Once you get there . . . do nothing.
Rinse and repeat!
My guess is that you’re gonna dig you!
“I did nothing. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything that I thought it could be.”
Peter Gibbons, Office Space
Great stuff Paul! Having some down time is huge, no matter what your profession, or life situaton is. I used to go stir crazy if I did not have something to do every minute of every day. But now I love a chance to even to kick back for a few minutes, and decompress! My next trick will be trying to sit and do nothing for a while, and not think about a million things that I have to do 🙂
Sounds like a great idea, Paul! Now I’ll just have to try and remember to do it! Although, I admit I haven’t done the 5:30 a.m. phone call thing… ;o)
Thanks, as always, for reminding of us to take a moment to stop and breathe, smell the roses, etc. :o)
Hope you have a stellar day!
Virtually Yours,
Anne-Marie
OK Paul, very cool. I dig how you balance real life with all the “sales” stuff. We don’t live in the “sales” world 24/7 especially if we have families and other important stuff in our lives. I like the 360 view you show.
That is a real challenge for many. I do it on a regular basis. In fact almost daily. Out to lunch or walk in the park or hike in the mountains. It relaxes me. Makes me more productive. And, I’m much happier. So why can’t more people do it?
Great post Paul. Personally, my choice while waiting for a flight is to engage others in conversation. If you are a sales person, take off your “sales hat” and just relax, and sincerely take an interest in the other person. There are some great new relationships out there waiting for you.
I used to be one of those that made heavy use of the phone while driving, but now I use that time to think & muse about stuff. Sometimes it’s music or some personal development time, too. I’m learning to respect MY personal time.
Thanks Paul!
Those are some fantastic options for everyone to consider Craig. Thanks for sharing them!
In regards to being on the road during biz hours? Ya, that’s another story. That really takes discipline to shut it all down.
I bet that salesperson was talking to someone at 5:30a in the morning. I see it all the time. It could be a customer or manager in another time zone.
With downsizing, corporate america is asking everyone to do more with less. The pressure is on.
One thing is for sure, those companies that aren’t taking care of their people during these tough times are going to lose people when the economy picks up. Studies show 75% of workers are disengaged.
Great points Steve . . . Thanks!
Great, sobering post Paul! I’m with you.
If I don’t have that down time, that solitude time, internally I feel angst and it’s like my soul suffers; it feels disconnected and it mourns, if that makes any sense.
I believe a huge part of what’s wrong with humanity is that we are too scared, too “busy”, too whatever to stop and look within because that means more work. We give that to the outside world, but not to who we are on the inside.
I like the way you think my friend!!
Have a faboo day!
Much kindness,
Elena
I agree with Criag – just be yourself and talk to others around you. One flight I did just that with the gentleman next to me. We talked about family and ironically at the end of the flight he offered my daughter an internship with his company.
I’m sure you will find the feeling to be quite liberating my friend.
Thanks Tim!
Thanks Jeff . . . Very nice of you to stop by and say that!
Good advice – I make it as habit to leave my phone and everything else behind and spend time outdoors with my Dog every day.
It refreshes me, gets my head on straight and allows me to get one more session of work done before the end of the day.
I value the down time as well and would appreciate those busy people to take that call elsewhere. I don’t want to hear your business…I’m trying to reenergize my brain man. Paul, another great time to relax is just before go home or quit work at your home office before you have time with family. Going straight from a call, or whatever you’re doing, to be with family is like quit smoking cold turkey.
Nothing like the twenty minute quite time to reset the mindset, mood, and attitude. Is it me does the projection of the 24/7 lifestyle really exist in the majority of people today? Don’t believe so yet were are pounded daily in believing we all need to be super heros and if we resist the nanny state guilt trippers kick it into gear after our behinds. Perhaps you could download a sound to your cell phone of a massive air horn you could use for that next 5 a.m. cell phone chat rat. Might get security to take a longer look at you but would be worth everyone having a lugh so early in the a.m. “oh high, its me” WAAAAH! no doubt they would sue perhaps but does bring a practical joke smile to the face eh!?
Amen! Get a life! Besides, it is not only anti-social, but it can also be dangerous to walk around looking at your phone instead of where you are going. People need to take time to “smell the flowers”, talk to their friends and family (in person) and turn off their phones and computers from time to time. Honestly, the world will not come to an end if you are not connected every minute of every day!!
Thanks for the reminder, Paul!