My Weeks Without an iPhone

Recently I've gone through a big career change. I've started my only fourth role since graduating University. I don't want to date myself but "in decades" would be an accurate description. Some people are constantly searching for the next rung on the ladder but I was settled in nicely and thought I could grow by increasing sales and with regular performance reviews.

The transition between companies was a unique opportunity to reinvent myself. I appreciate that not everyone is given one of these chances in a lifetime, while others might make it a constant goal to measure themselves, and set goals for improvement. After eight years in the same role in hindsight I realize I had not taken a look at my habits and work methods for too long.

I called my manager at my previous company and told him I was leaving the company to take on more responsibility and a larger territory. In moving from a team of twenty to a team of three I knew I'd be presented with more opportunities to sell and have more fun prospecting and networking. Although I offered to stay on and transition all of my accounts to another salesperson, I was advised to immediately send in all company property. I wasn't scheduled to begin my new position for another few weeks- and I was officially released from working.

Packing the box was simple: product samples, computers, brochures, even some pens. Lastly, one additional item: the iPhone. I didn't think it was a big deal - I'd be getting another one soon and wouldn't miss it. Besides, it's a pet peeve of mine to see people walking around staring at their phones or sitting across from each other at dinner faces illuminated blue and thumb methodically swiping up, up, up.

Professionally I've been in one-on-one meetings where the other party has the phone face-up on the table. It buzzes and beeps every five minutes and the person looks and reads. What do you do - keep talking like it's normal or pause out of courtesy and realize you are the second most important thing in the room to that person? I was even in a meeting once where we had to pause for someone to make an emergency email and you could see the response from a little Outlook window on the projector that they were communicating about golf balls. We're more connected than ever, but why waste our valuable face-to-face time buried in a news feed?

I put the phone in the box and shipped it. I remember heading out in my car for the first time. Keys - check. Wallet - check. What about the phone? I'm going to the store - what if someone needs something from the store? What if the car breaks down? What if there's an emergency at home? I told my wife I was going out and asked her if she wanted something. Usually the response is, "I'll text you if I think of something." She couldn't think of anything on the spot. I have to admit there was some anxiety being out of the house without the phone. I got to the checkout line - every person was on their phone checking something while they waited. I struck up a conversation with my neighbor, just like people used to do in the 20th century. I don't know if you can call it an itch, a twitch, or a tick but mentally there is something when you're in a line that screams, "Check your phone! Stocks! LinkedIn! Facebook! Emails!" I looked around and everyone was swiping up, up, up searching their phones.

I went to the beach, concerts, fishing, on hikes. Everywhere I went people were on their phones. I couldn't check my emails, stocks or facebook. I couldn't price check items or see what the weather forecast was. I got everything I needed for a fair price and the weather happened just as it would've. Every night I returned home. At the end of the end I had very few relevant personal emails. Two scrolls of facebook determined everything was pretty much the same. Every day the stocks were up 2% or down 2% but I made no more or fewer trades than if I had the information in real time. I started to check the weather forecast the night before. Something strange also happened - I started to talk and communicate more. I was gone all day with no texts, posts, or updates so when I returned home I had something to talk about.

After a while the scream in my head to check my phone went away. I had gained something I hadn't had in years: solitude. I went out to the Cape Cod canal and was gone for hours fishing for Striped Bass. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the peace and satisfaction that I had no one to report to and no responsibilities for those few hours. When I saw friends and family I had more to share with them in person because I wasn't streaming everything in real time. I became more curious about what other people were doing and wanted to talk to them.

After many weeks the FedEx truck came with some devices designed in California and manufactured in China. I was excited to start my new position soon. There was a desk phone, computer, business cards, and at the bottom of the box a new phone. I got everything set up and shared my new cell phone number with as many of my contacts as I could.

Later that day I was taking my family to my parents' house for a summer pool party. As usual it was quite chaotic with towels, goggles, toys, sunblock. Beside the front door there is a shelf with my keys and wallet which I grabbed on the way out and locked the front door. Feeling my pockets to confirm I had everything I needed on the way to the car I realized something was amiss. I turned, unlocked the front door, took my iPhone out of my front pocket, and left it on the shelf. It will be there when I need it - but I don't need it all the time. Do you?