Years ago when I was still working in a corporate environment, it was a requirement that I had my Blackberry with me at all times. It actually became a joke among my friends and family and my Dad was convinced it was an extension of my hand.
When I left corporate and formed my own business, the first thing I did was…you guessed it…ran out and bought a Blackberry.
I’m happy to say that over the years, I’ve come to regard my Blackberry as something which gives me a sense of freedom rather than as something I “must do”.
While swimming the other day, I noticed one guy furiously doing his laps and every two laps stopping and hovering over the side of the pool. Want to guess what he was doing?
Yep. . .he was checking his Blackberry. Turns out he had it in a Ziploc baggy and would check and type emails every couple of laps.
I was torn between wanting to swim over and give him a gentle “whap” on the head and ask him to let it go for just a little bit or give him a hug and my card for some coaching on how NOT to be addicted – from a former Blackberry addict.
Take some time every day to go SOMEWHERE without your Blackberry, PDA, Treo, Palm, etc. and just BE!