Pay Attention. Don't Apologize.

Your phone rings, buzzes or beeps. What do you do?

Why is it on? Was the decision to keep it on a conscious or default action?

Many years ago a friend of mine moved to California upon graduating college. He grew up in Syracuse, NY and attended college nearby. Suffice to say he was done with a four season climate.

To his surprise the weather wasn't the only improvement of his situation. The culture also offered him an opportunity. As he immersed himself in the realities of Southern California (sun, surf...did I mention sun?) he did so within what he termed his "east coast urgency." He soon realized that the slower, easier pace of Southern California (a real thing) provided him an advantage. His high urgency and motivation competed very well among the Southern Cali natives. Not universally and without exception but consistently enough that he soon realized he could be very successful in his new home.

Today he owns and operates a very successful (did I mention successful) business. He screen-prints, embroiders and provides unlimited opportunities for anyone to place their logo on anything. Nice story. How's it connect to this blog entry?

We see a lesson on advantage. My friend understood how his experience informed his actions. His east coast upbringing (experience) allowed him to envision how he might invest his energies for maximum success (actions). He then sculpted his energies to maximize his return.

My question for anyone who aspires, to anything, begins with having them describe how their digital interfaces (phone, streaming, social media, etc.) interact with their worldview. The most common response is the idea that these interfaces are problem-solvers or resources. What is often left unexplored or unacknowledged is the reality that they degrade personal connection. They seem to interfere with those times when we are face to face.

So I return to my East Coast compatriot and his experience moving West. His culture, from his perspective, positioned him with an advantage. He brought an elevated sense of urgency to his endeavors. His outcome makes the case. The next time your digitalia habits prompt an apology to those you're with, challenge your self with a question, "Which of these actions will help me more: paying attention or apologizing?"