iPhone, The Lesson To Be Learned

So tomorrow is the ‘big’ day. The iPhone will be launched, blah, blah…

During a recent ‘product placement’ segment, a TV news anchor asked: “There’s rumors that, when the iPhone is released, there won’t be enough to go around. What can we possibly do?” In a rare moment of TV news sanity a reporter replied: “Well, one option is simply to wait a week or two.” Excellent point! In the time it takes to get the thing out of the box (almost) the iPhone will be freely available in the shops!

Do you recall the similar feeding frenzy—a few months ago—when PlayStation 3 was about to be released? News footage of people lining up outside the stores to buy one, shoving and brawling. One guy even got stabbed! The ultimate irony is that sales of the PlayStation 3 have been extremely disappointing. It’s estimated that, during 2007, Sony will lose almost $500 million on its game division. What’s more—according to GameDaily.biz—not a single Play Station 3 game made the top ten computer game list for May…Ouch!

I realize most of us look at people who hang around for days on end—jockeying for position—just to get some electronic doodad a week earlier than everybody else and think, idiots! Clearly, there’s absolutely no logical reason to join the end of the line. Because, as the TV reporter pointed out, wait a week and the item will be available for purchase everywhere.

Here’s the key question: What situations trigger you to act in this impulsive, illogical way? Sure you don’t dash out every time some newfangled piece of gadgetry hits the stores, but are you equally restrained when you face the temptation to check your emails every 15 minutes. For most of us, it’s totally illogical to check our messages that often. What’s more, it also distracts us from whatever we’re doing and reduces our productivity. Still, it can be tough to resist, can’t it?

Here’s another example: If someone doesn’t return your phone call immediately, do you find it difficult to ignore the urge to call them again; way too soon? In the business world this impulsive behavior makes you look like an amateur. And, in your personal life, it can strain a relationship.

When people go nuts over hyped up electronic goods, check their eMails too often or pester others with repeat phone calls, they’re driven by a need for closure. And, while the world doesn’t always operate according to your timetable, you can learn how to resist your drive for closure. Then, you’ll be able to manage your time more effectively, avoid looking inexperienced and reduce the stress in your life.

Key point: You must understand, and get comfortable with, your drive for closure. And, to get comfortable with your drive for closure, you simply need practice.

Step 1: Identify an area in your life where you find it difficult to resist the urge to react impulsively. For example, perhaps you find it virtually impossible to ignore a ringing telephone, even when you’re in the middle of completing an important business task.

Step 2: With fresh understanding and awareness, deliberately step back from the temptation to act impulsively. Say to yourself: “I don’t need to rush into this response, it’s just my drive for closure talking.”

Bottom line: Whenever you feel an overwhelming urge to react in haste, step back and make that reaction a pause.

Wishing you continued success,

Steve