Tip #3 – The Phone is a Tool of Convenience

Famous blogger and social media expert Chris Brogan says, “If your phone were a debit card, it would be sucking your attention account dry.”

I really want you to think about this – especially if you own a smartphone (one that has phone, email, internet, and app capabilities).  How many times each day are you distracted by the various beeps, buzzes, and vibrations of that little device?

How often are you in the middle of some important project or, worse, in the middle of a conversation with a live human being in front of you, only to have your attention completed distracted when that  device does a little jig on your desk, in your pocket, or in your ear?

Ask yourself:

1. Do I feel obligated or compelled to answer the phone when it rings?

2. Am I as curious as a cat and have to check the phone when it buzzes?(You know what happens to curious cats, right…?)

3. How disruptive is the phone when I’m engaged in a project or in conversation with another person — both activities where my undivided attention is important and deserved?

(And just for the record – I think call waiting is EVIL.)

My challenge for you today: use the phone to HELP you do business. Use the phone to cut down on email volume (calling is faster and more efficient most times than email back and forth and back and forth). And use the phone to connect meaningfully with people.

But silence the ignore the darn thing when you need to engage with a project, task, or person. Voicemail is there for a reason!