Hi There!
Wow, it feels good to be back in your inbox first thing on a Monday morning! It's been a minute since my last short-form post, but I always forget that 500 words are sometimes just as good of a message as 5,000. For this post, I reflect on how much time I spend consuming information. It has become drug-like for me to chase what information is next. It sounds ridiculous, but it's a problem.
This fall, I'm challenging myself to stop information consumption and instead invest that time in relationships.
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Alright, let’s uncover the hood 👇
The Information Drug
One of my favorite questions to ponder is this:
If you were to be asked to teach a class on something, what would it be?
In other words, what is your most knowledgeable topic? What do you know so well that you could spend 15+ weeks teaching the ins and outs? The answer becomes harder the more you think about it. Outside of the accounting knowledge I have gained over the past 5 years, I'm not proficient in many other areas. I have several interests and hobbies, but nothing someone is coming to me for.
Yet, I spend much of my free time immersing myself in information. I crave little nuggets of knowledge that I hope to use. This is not a shameful indictment on myself - if it weren't for my curiosity itch, I would have never started writing! This is a hit piece on how much the information drug consumes my life and whether the returns are worth it.
Every free moment I have, I instantly go to Twitter or Gmail to check out something new. While working or driving, I'm scouring Spotify to find the perfect podcast. Again, none of this is bad, but my insatiable appetite for information consumption is getting out of control. I can feel it creep into my mind anytime I have a free moment.
"Scroll! Scroll! Scroll!"
I'll never stop being curious, but there is a line where curiosity turns into obsession. Before long, it consumes your life! When implemented over time, the little practices have the most significant impact on your daily life. I will begin using my information consumption time to invest more in my personal relationships. At the very least, I know that is something worth being proficient in.
Investing in Relationships
*Boarding Group: B12*
“Perfect, I'll get an aisle seat and get off the plane quickly. Man, I can't wait to see my friend. Alright, what podcast will I listen to on this plane ride? Hmm, this new Joe Rogan on neurotechnology sounds interesting, or maybe this recap of Week 1 in the NFL… No, definitely going to go with this Crime Junkie episode about a man killed in his cabin!”
*Flash forward to friend picking me up*
“Yo! Man, it's been forever. Good to see you. Yep, the flight was good…”
*Small talk ensues - flash forward to dinner*
“Yeah, my parents are doing well, how are yours?”
“Yeah, my girlfriend and I are great! Let's see, this is what all we've done lately…”
“The job is good! It's got its ups and downs, but I can't complain.”
“Oh man, it was the best vacation I've ever taken!”
You see, it takes time to get past the surface level of catching up. Don't get me wrong, it's necessary, but the best time with friends is when you genuinely feel known by them. To do that, you must get caught up on the current happenings (because you know the past).
In my experience, it takes about 24 hours to fully feel up to speed. Then, as you settle in, the real stuff starts coming out. This is why the weekend trip is so powerful, but these trips are few and far between. In the meantime, what if we alleviated some of the catch-up?
*Flash forward to the return flight*
“Wow, such a fun weekend visiting friends. I'm really proud of *friend* for overcoming that. I would never have expected that to happen. Hmm, well, let's see what podcast I'm going to download for the flight back…”
I'm not saying don't listen to podcasts on flights, but it's our addiction to information that is making the surface-level catch-up with friends longer and harder. Even worse, I have to constantly catch up with friends I live 5 miles from. What if the catch-up was already accomplished?
Everyone is busy, but you make time for important things. I'm tired of being disconnected only to get one tiny piece of information that I can maybe use in a conversation one time. Instead, personal relationships are going to be my podcast. I'd rather interview a friend than find out how effective someone's writing process is, what new technology to use, or why Kevin Durant's basketball legacy is ruined.
That is why I am implementing a practice this fall season called Phone Call Fall ™. Anytime I have a few minutes (e.g., driving, eating lunch/dinner/etc., sick of writing, going for a walk, waiting for Sunday Night Football to start), I will call family and friends.
And if you don't answer the phone? That's perfectly fine. I called you out of the blue, so you're probably busy. The excuse of "they're probably busy" is always a yes if you don't call - it's a maybe if you do call. Also, perhaps you don't want to talk? That's fine too. The touchpoint itself is enough.
The problem is, I'm not really great at talking on the phone. I run out of things to ask, and then I don't necessarily give the other person much in my answers. But I'm going to get better. Maybe I'll write a reflection piece at the end of Phone Call Fall to summarize the art of the catch-up phone call (you laugh, but people who do this well have no clue the powerful skill they possess).
Final Thought
I spent time with my grandmother over the weekend, where she is in an assisted-living memory care facility. Quickly, her mind is deteriorating due to Dementia. She doesn't know much, but it's incredible to listen to the specific memories that randomly come to her. I sat there and thought, "At 82 years old, am I going to care about the podcast I listened to on the drive home from work?" Nope, I'm going to be like my Nana and hope someone comes by for a visit.
I understand that's a radically morbid life reflection, but relationships are the most important things in my life. There is no earthly knowledge that trumps that.
So here's to Phone Call Fall! See y'all on the other line.
The best season of the year just got better :)