A Week Without My Cell Phone (On Purpose)
Recently, I went on a week-long trip with my wife to an all-inclusive resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Before departing, I made a conscious decision to leave my phone home. I wanted to have true separation from my business to have time to decompress and rejuvenate. (My wife had her phone, in case of emergencies, they could contact me.)
Sitting by the pool each day, I could catch up on some of my reading lists. I finished two books and started a third during this week-long excursion. I must admit, it was nice not having the distraction of my phone to keep me from focusing and learning from the books I was reading. Even a month after the trip, I still find myself quoting from the books I read. My retention rate during this time was certainly higher than usual.
I spent more quality time with my wife, which was the most important part of the getaway. With me running the business and running our household with four busy children, it was important for us to connect and rekindle our bond. Looking back, I wish she would not have brought her phone either. I found it more of a distraction for me because she was still texting her friends and our children throughout the trip. (Note to self: book a trip where there is no cell service!)
When I returned home, I was nervous about the number of missed emails and phone calls. Here is the final tally:
- I had 259 unread emails
- I had six voicemails
That’s it. Of the 259 emails, only 25 required a response. I was shocked at how much junk mail I received for newsletters and updates that I had signed up for over the years. This realization has caused me to unsubscribe to 99% percent of those emails. I learned that the return on time from reading the emails was not significant enough to keep the subscriptions.
Of the six voicemails, only 3 required a response. None were urgent. I attribute this to my management team. Since I’ve owned the farm, I have been deliberate in the delegation of roles and responsibilities, which was the payoff.
In conclusion, I would encourage all business owners to leave their phones home for their next vacation or extended weekend getaway. The benefits of rejuvenation, connection with loved ones, and relaxation far outweigh the important work you may miss.