The eyes have it. So does the wrist.
The latest smartwatches are wonderfully innovative. When they first came out, I wore one for a few weeks as part of my responsibilities demonstrating new wireless technology. Really enjoying it, I could just glance at my wrist and see, among other things:
- Text from my son!
- Email alert from my manager!
- Calendar reminder for my next appointment!
Hoopla! But so old school. My daughter’s boyfriend showed me his new watch this week. He’s a hunter and he highlighted three distinct things his watch can help him with as he ventures out into the wilderness! Some report their smartwatch even tells the current time.
Innovation and convenience aside there’s something being said to people when you check your watch, smart or not so smart. The roll-the-wrist-and-look-at-your-watch gesture is universal for:
- I’m conscious of the time
- I’ve got to be somewhere
- I’d rather be somewhere besides with you
Hold on! That last one may be critical! Hmmm, maybe there’s an important formula we should consider in this scenario:
SA + WR + EDA = DFA
Breaking down the formua allows us to determine exactly where a problem could occur:
Smartwatch Alert (1st distraction)
+
Wrist Rolling (2nd distraction)
+
Eye Diverting Activity (3rd distraction)
=
Disconnection From Audience
I’m thinking that the smartwatch phenomena equals MORE wrist-rolling (which may be a good form of exercise—your watch will tell you that, I’m sure), MORE eye-diverting activity which equals LESS connection with your Audience (one, five, a thousand) which means you aren’t as effective as an Actor (solid, authentic communicator with pizzazz).
But c’mon, aren’t we used to this due to smartPHONE use? Somebody checking their phone while in conversation is accepted as part of our busy worlds! It doesn’t really matter what we’re talking about with people—what matters is our virtual Audience engagement that’s so much more critical than someone right in front of us, yes?
No.
Our real-time connection with someone far outweighs the connection with gadgets. Though almost essential to run our lives, these devices take away from our ability to be truly present with our Audience.
This is a “Fix It or Feature It” opportunity. If what’s happening on your watch or phone supports the conversation-connection, or if you have the slightest concern it might be distracting, choose to:
Feature It:
“I may have to take an important call while we’re talking.”
“An email I should get any moment may have more information for us.”
“I love talking with you—I have another appointment coming up so I’ll watch the time.”
Fix It:
SHUT THE “SMART” THING OFF!
As Actor, you can set up anything you want with your Audience to manage their expectations. So if you just have to have the gadget on, let them know why. Otherwise, eliminate the distraction and get on with Action.
You’re stage. Your performance. And with smart choices with smart devices, you’re on!
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