When we’re immersed in our devices and someone enters the room to ask us a question, we have to (annoyingly) look up.
Whether we have our devices in our hands or not, we have to leave our phones alone when someone wants our attention in the offline world.
It’s common courtesy.
Now ask yourself: when the conversation ends, how fast are you reaching for your phone again?
Do you go for your smartphone when the person turns around and walks away?
Or when the person is out of sight only?
Or blatantly during the (what you think is the) conclusion of the conversation?
Picture the following scenario:
You walk with your friend to the bus because he or she is going home.
When your friend enters the bus, are you still looking at your friend or have you grabbed your phone already?
Many years ago I realized I wasn’t waiting for the bus to leave before using my favourite device.
How I noticed?
Because I saw another friend doing the same to me.
One day my friend and I said our goodbyes, but before I entered the train I wanted to show him a final acknowledgment.
I turned around and instead of expecting that final adieu and acknowledgment from him, he was already on his phone.
Such moments are very important and are additional opportunities for engagement and connection.
From that day on I convinced myself not to go for my technical appendage so obsessively right after I finished a conversation with someone.
That subconscious program that is running us which makes us unable to keep our hands empty for 15 minutes has to stop.
So be mindful of your urge to go for your phone when you and your friend or partner or colleague depart.
Wait for the person to be out of sight.
While you may receive a notification at that very moment, do not act.
When that person catches you on your phone, you may convey the message that the conversation you had wasn’t that important or memorable.
Be in control of that urge. Notice that urge to place your hand in your pocket, and then with that awareness: consciously decide to postpone it.