Motivation from dumphones

Motivation from dumbphones

The loneliness, anxiety and depression caused by staring at screens for hours have left many eager to disconnect. Some have turned to dumbphones - basic cellphones that allow for calls and texts without the apps of a smartphone.

The market for dumbphones is growing. One company founded in 2022, DumbWireless, recorded monthly sales of $68,000 in March, up from $5,000 in March of 2023.

Whether or not you would like to use a dumbphone, here are 3 ways that we can use dumbphones as motivation:

The world continues to change: While many embrace dumbphones as a way to avoid the distractions of mobile apps, smartphones have changed the world. Even those who would like to avoid the apps offered by smartphones still live with others who are accustomed to using smartphones - as demonstrated by Apple’s iPhone revenue of $69.7 billion in Q1 2024 (hundreds of thousands times times greater than the monthly sales of DumbWireless).

Limit distractions: Just like the dumbphone removes addictive apps, removing distractions can help us accomplish our objectives. Sometimes the best way to reach our goals doesn’t require working harder, but the removal of anything that does not directly contribute to positive progress. Not only does this prevent wasted energy, it helps us focus on the task at hand.

Simple can be better: While it’s fun to think about things that are new and cool, simple is often better. One example is Databricks CEO Ali Ghodsi who relies on using his iPhone the old fashion way to run his 5,500-person company. Instead of an elaborate strategy, consider a simple way to consistently make progress.

Thank you dumbphones! Let’s have a great week!