Everywhere we go now days, people are on their cell phones, computers, and tablets. Their attention is consumed with talking, texting, and Facebooking. They are oblivious to the surroundings absorbed in what being said or typed elsewhere. In the wrong setting, such as texting while driving, this may even be physically dangerous.
About a year ago, I was given a BlackBerry smart-phone for use with work. Since then, I keep catching myself reading work e-mails during my personal time. Because of this smart-phone and convenient connectivity, I often find myself working when I should be focusing on my family and personal life. Several times, I have even caught myself reading e-mails at my kid's soccer and baseball practice. A few weeks ago, to remind myself to focus on the here and now, I put a soothing picture on my cell-phone's wall paper that contains the following message:
BE HERE NOW
So, when I am not at work and I pick up my cell phone, I see this message and realize that where I am is more important than what is going on at work. Typically, when I see this message, I put the phone back in my pocket and focus on what is happening in my close vicinity. The message is having the desired effect on my attention!
But, having "Be Here Now" plastered on my cell phone's wall paper is also having an unexpected result. I originally put the message there to remind me while outside of work not to focus on work. But, I continuously catch myself at work fiddling with my cell phone: texting people and even reading Facebook. The message "Be Here Now" means here and now no matter where I am. The mantra is therefore is also helping me to stay more focused when I am working. And honestly, when I am working my work deserves my full attention.
The "Be Here Now" mantra on my phone was intended to keep work from encroaching into my personal life. And it has accomplished this. But, it is also keeping my on task at work.
