Finding Opportunity in Frustration

Moments before the attention span had started wavering.    Now, thoughts drifted, eyelids drooped, head about to nod. Haven’t we all experienced these physical and mental symptoms at conferences, meetings, or classrooms where either the subject matter was dry or the speaker or presenter was less than stimulating? In a momentary state of arousal I pondered the blandness of this encounter.    Why was this particular talk so…boring? I found a reason to listen, not for content, but rather for carriage.    Quickly I noticed the speaker had a large diet of the first person pronoun:   I, me, and mine.    The notepad in front of me transformed into a tally sheet.    Over the next 15 minutes one of these three words made way into the talk 126 times.    An average of once every seven seconds! The lesson to me that day was not the intended subject, but rather about one of the surest ways to destroy a talk, a presentation, or even a conversation:    too much of a focus on ourselve

What does the manner in which we use and display our cell phones communicate about us? A couple of teenage girls were sitting together on a bench intensely focused on their cellular devices.    Exchanging laughs and giggles, through closer observation and some eavesdropping I confirmed they were furiously texting:    each other! Initially amused, I further considered the moment.    To be sure there was an element of cuteness and innocence.   Conversely I felt wistful that with the many conveniences offered by modern technology our ability to look each other in the eye and have a fully communicative conversation has been increasingly compromised.    This year I’m resolving to become better and more aware of the outward message I’m conveying to others with how I use my phone.    When seated at a business meeting or lunch where’s my device?    I hope in my pocket.    If it’s on the table might a message be construed as “I’m expecting someone more significant than you to attem