We think we are in control.

Today I had an interesting conversation with someone I met at a business networking event. They mentioned how tired they were. How they were unable to switch off. How they were fearing the day after they had checked their emails very late the previous night. Emails, phone, phone, email. Does it ever stop.!!! They thought they were in control by constantly checking their phone and email. If they did not do these things they felt out of control.

We think we are in control.

In the situation described the email and phone are in control. The email and phone have become an addiction. When we step outside the business environment things are no different. Last evening I was out enjoying a nice meal with my wife. On the table next to us was a couple who had I am sure also come out to enjoy a nice meal.  However, they were constantly checking their phones. While waiting for the various courses to be served they did not speak to each other. They just kept scrolling.

We think we are in control.

We have become addicted to our phones. Paranoid that we may miss something. Paranoid about how many likes that recent post we posted has had. Young people, in particular, are becoming stressed, anxious, depressed when they see others getting more likes than them.

We think we are in control.

Moving away from phones and social media. We may have become addicted to coffee. Unable to start the day without that coffee fix. We may have become addicted to sugary drinks or diet drinks. We may have become addicted to complaining and moaning. We may have become addicted to browsing the internet or biting our nails. All of these things seem incidental and harmless but soon enough they start to run our lives.

We think we are in control. But are we?

What would happen if you changed your morning coffee to tea or even a glass of water!!!! What would happen if you stopped browsing the internet every minute of every day? What would happen if you actually turned off your phone? Do you really have to know about the latest drone above a British Airport or that some celebrity has just got married or divorced. What would happen if you stopped constantly checking facebook, Instagram and other social media sites? How important is it that you know Fred and Julie have just arrived at Manchester Airport to begin their two-week holiday.  Unless of course, you are a burglar who lives near to Fred and Julie. How important is it that you know Sally is enjoying a nice meal (complete with photo) in some restaurant. Why check your emails or messages just before you retire for the night when you can't do anything apart from causing yourself a stressful, sleepless night.

Why even take the phone into the bedroom?

Aha.....I hear you say. I need it for my alarm to wake me from my stressful sleepless night. Do you really? Why not buy an alarm clock.

And we think we are in control.

As one addict put it. "Addiction is when we have lost the freedom to abstain". Maybe it is time to reclaim that freedom. Have a wonderful day. Be happy-Be Inspired. Steve