Silly nostalgy or top efficiency and mindfullness move? Back to Nokia 6310i!

Do you remember the early 00’s when you texted like crazy on the digit keypad, the only link to the internet was the WAP service and your phone was just a phone. Not a camera, a computer, a navigation system, a health monitoring system… 

Few weeks ago I made an experiment. I put my sim card from iPhone in to #nokia6310i. My phone become a phone. Point.

I have to admit that still I have to be available to my teams on a very short notice and I always have my corporate phone on weekends and holidays (not healthy but can't afford to change that, at least for now). However, I realized that being available does not mean I have to read every skype/ hangouts/ messenger/ mail etc. once I am eating lunch. If its urgent they can still call me.

 Let me share with you the results. 

1. I started to think. 

Sounds strange, but I realized that before every time I was waiting for the elevator, traffic lights etc. I was immediately opening corporate or private apps. Now I take this moments to consider current events and think of the next steps. 

2. I started to talk

While eating lunch in the corporate kitchen I talk to my neighbours. When waiting for the big meeting to start I talk to participants. Couple of times I had experienced this awkward situation when I enter 2 minutes to the meeting start and 4 people are stuck with their heads in smartphones. Then I put my Nokia on the table and laugh - quickly they realized that we should actually talk as this is creating the team spirit. Otherwise we could make telco from our desks or homes. 

3. I work in uninterrupted blocks

The number of distracting notifications is greatly reduced. Also the temptation to check friends Strava routes, parcel delivery, linkedIn feed is much lower. I can finish my tasks faster and they are of better quality. 

4. I quit the meetings

How many times have you thought during the meeting "what a waste of time..." and opened your smartphone? If your role at the meeting is over just say it and leave. Thats is actually the last rule from "8 Rules For Running A Great Meeting" by Google. Others might have the same feeling but just are afraid to tell it! 

5. I have not lost my handsfree

Surprising that phone from 2002 connects perfectly to my car bluetooth system without any special devices. Well... that kills a bit the battery (I have not jet reached the magical 7 days without recharge) and phone book is not syncronised but still it rocks!

6. Won back private time

When I go to the playground with my kids I take the phone, but hardly ever rings so I have to play with the kids, talk to them or just think of future actions I should take. Without being stuck in daily routine. 

I preffer much more Dad's new phone because it looks like a TV remote, what makes him less serious, and he is not clicking on it the whole time!

What do I miss most? 

I don't have the camera with me. So I have to live and memorize the moments not to capture them! 

What has happened to my iPhone?

Still is used on daily bassis, without a SIM card, as a camera, a computer, a navigation system, a health monitoring system… but no more 24/7.