Why and How I Thrived with No Cell Phone for (6) Months
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide
For (6) months, I gave up my cell phone. It was just something I felt I had to do. When I decided to give up my phone, I began documenting my transition and how the world around me would react to my new lifestyle.
The first 2-3 weeks were very hard. I couldn’t check social media, business emails, or have mobile record of who was trying to reach me throughout the day. Even though each day was a little stressful, I began feeling liberated. After about a month, I had adopted the lifestyle and loved every bit of it. I did what I felt and became a better person (stronger leader / business man) because of it. My decisions and daily choices started to align themselves accurately with what I envisioned for myself. My energy was undeniably at a higher frequency and contagious.
My goal was to become a more effective leader, entrepreneur, and human being to those around me. I was also tired of the lack of authenticity people were displaying to me and around me. I felt that if I got rid of my mobile phone, it would help me see things clearer and slow down my speed so I can enjoy my walk through this beautiful experience we call life.
Here are my TOP 12 things I recognized and experienced when I got rid of my mobile phone.
Rahfeal Gordon’s (12) Observations with No Mobile Phone
- Arrived to all my meetings and events earlier than the attendees.
- Recognized and seized more opportunities due to not being distracted by all the activities that my phone created (i.e. emails, social media apps, notifications, games).
- Dealt with current issues and feelings while driving, walking, and in waiting areas. I could not just pick up my phone to waste the time away.
- Slept easier, stressed less, and reflected with gratitude as soon as I woke (rather than just picked up my phone to check messages and social media sites).
- My imagination was exercised more and I was more in tuned with my thoughts.
- Due to not being easily accessible, friends, family members, and business associates began scheduling more meet ups (I HEARD more I LOVE YOU comments because it couldn’t be sent as a text to me).
- The conversations were more in depth, rich, and authentic because I wasn’t sharing much online. When you have no phone you see the world a little differently and many people within my circle were very intrigued.
- More productive with my time and valued it more than I did with the cell. I began noticing that I was perfecting my time management skills.
- I was more “in the moment” than those around me. While everyone was at dinner on their phones or taking pictures of their food/surrounding, I was observing the ambiance. I was paying attention to how those around me interacted and how I was feeling at the moment.
- I purchased a house phone and gave it only to family members and friends of the family.
- I notice that I only remembered the phone numbers of the people that called me the most and/or who I called most often.
- My communications as a leader became more exceptional to my team.
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Senior Director of Marketing & Global Branding at Madison + Park Agency | Strategic Leadership Advisor for Senior Executives and Entrepreneurs
9yRuth Tick: I learned a great deal when I made the decision to get rid of my cell. There was such a value in not knowing what everyone else was doing. There was this sense of personal privacy that no one could infiltrate. I had complete control. As each day passed, I grew to understand myself and human behavior better. We were probably very productive without a cell phone (and probably more creative) back in those year you stated too. Hmmm.. something we all can sit back and ponder on. Thank you for reading and leaving a comment on my post Ruth. I truly appreciate it.
Senior Director of Marketing & Global Branding at Madison + Park Agency | Strategic Leadership Advisor for Senior Executives and Entrepreneurs
9yRobin Ellen Lucas Thank you Robin! I appreciate you reading my post.
Guest Services at Jyzen
9yI love this
Senior Director of Marketing & Global Branding at Madison + Park Agency | Strategic Leadership Advisor for Senior Executives and Entrepreneurs
9yPatricia A Blair Hi Pat. Thank you :-)