Let's Stop Calling It A Phone

I remember how excited I was when the iPhone came out. All of a sudden, my phone was a sleek and incredible multi-tool! A mini-computer that fit in my pocket. It's utility seemed endless. My productivity would instantly increase! 

And maybe it did for a while...

But the novelty has worn off and  it's clear to me now that my "phone's" utility is getting in the way. It tends to keep me busy in a meaningless, distracted way. Not in an awesome, productive way.

And it's because I keep pretending it's a phone, when it's not.

It's the teeniest iPad Apple ever made and they tricked us all by telling us it was a phone. The truth is it stopped being a phone a long time ago. If we'd realized that, we may have different relationships with them today. Would you bring your computer into the bathroom with you? Sleep with it under your pillow? Walk down the street with your head down looking at your computer? Driving with your computer in your lap checking social media or email? Maybe, but probably not.

Well I say it's not too late! Names are powerful, and we need to stop pretending what we're carrying around (that we almost never talk on anymore) in our bags, pockets, and purses is a phone.  

Whether you're eating ribs, tri-tip or sirloin, you're still eating beef. A cows a cow. And a computer is a computer. And your phone just simply isn't a phone anymore. So let's stop calling it that and give it a more accurate name! It's a ...

mini-computer,
a teeny-tablet,
a com-pocket-puter?

Ok, so we're still workshoping the name... Hopefully we'll come up with something better soon - or maybe you will! Keep us posted.

Weekly Challenge: Your "Phone" Use - How Often and What For?

How often and what for: Pick a day, any day, and really tune in to how you're using your "phone". When you wake up, write down a couple of sentences about what the purpose of your phone is. At the end of the day, write down how you used it (and how often) and then reflect on whether your stated purpose and actual use align.

Create a tech-specific space: Play around with the idea of creating a space in your house (please not your bedroom!) that is dedicated to using your "phone" and try to only use it there. You're basically making a phone-station in your house.