So many of us are working on our relationship with our phone. There’s a growing body of evidence about just how addictive many aspects of technology can be, from games to social media…
As with everything, being a small business owner means you almost certainly have a slightly different angle from others when it comes to navigating this relationship. I know I do! Whilst I don’t want to pretend there are perfect solutions, this post will be a chance to pause, reflect and analyse how and when you’re using your phone. The most important thing is that you’re in control.
Most of us don’t have the luxury of doing without our phones; as tempting as it may sometimes be to disappear to a cabin by a lake. From our phones, we manage so much of our lives now. They’re one of our primary tools for communication, whether that be emails or social media. We may also sell / order things through our phone, have our work diary, get reminders… the list goes on and on.
There are lots of positive aspects to this. In many ways, technology has made it easier to be a small business owner than ever before. We can connect with a global audience for free, from the comfort of our own homes. That’s pretty incredible! I don’t want this post to be all doom and gloom about the fast paced nature of tech change. However, I do want to make sure that you’re in the driving seat when it comes to how you manage your relationship with your phone.
I’ve said ‘phone’ rather than laptop or tablet – specifically because of their portable nature. Our phones are almost always within reach, by our side or in our pocket when we leave the house. When your phone is inextricably linked to work that can make it very hard to switch off. Where’s your phone right now? Did talking about this make you want to check it?
Whilst it’s exciting that you can reach that global audience so quickly, they can also find you. You can be on holiday, at a spa or you really could have hidden away in a cabin by a lake… and, as long as you have Wi-Fi, people can still break into your bubble. If you choose to let them… When you’re growing your business, and every order/ customer counts, this can make it incredibly difficult to fully disconnect and be in the present moment – something which is essential for our wellbeing.
Without judging yourself, pause for a moment and ask yourself:
How many times have I said: “I’ll just reply to X first…” or “Let me just share this to Instagram…”
Who were you talking to when you said it? Who were you not connecting with in the moment?
We ALL do this, so please try not to feel guilty! It is important to try and notice these times though so that we can choose the patterns of behaviour that best serve us. Over the next few posts, I’ll challenge you to think about how you’re using your phone in everyday life and as a small business owner. Where your budget allows, I’d always highly recommend having a separate personal and business phone.
Leave your business phone behind when you’re on holiday / outside of work hours. Don’t worry if that isn’t possible yet… but it is something to work towards. The more you can separate work and life as an entrepreneur, the more energy you will have to bring to these different areas of your life. So, lets’ unpick that relationship…
