I have gone through several pairs of earbuds over the past few years. I wasn’t ready to make the investment in the Apple AirPods, so I just bought the generic ones off Amazon. A basic $25 pair here, another $40 one there, and I kept losing them. I’d leave them in a pocket of a jacket, in the little storage area of my car, in a bag, etc. I continued to lose them and was growing more and more frustrated.
One day, I was traveling with my daughter Claire. I couldn’t find my earbuds, and I wanted to listen to music. She said that I could borrow her AirPods, but knowing my history, I was told to make sure I didn’t lose them. Sternly, from my 18-year-old, I might add!
I was super focused on just that. I did not want to lose them, and I didn’t want to disappoint my daughter. (or get in trouble with her Mom, also known as my wife!) I put the AirPods in my ears and was absolutely blown away. The quality, the simple connection, the sound, and the amazing noise-canceling options on them. The ease of use was incredible. I was sold, and completely hooked!
After that experience, I made the leap for myself and purchased my own set of AirPods. I’ve had them now for just under a year, and I love them. I use them for so many things, including online Zoom meetings, voice, recordings, and more. I actually have them in my ears now as I am voice recording this blog.
So what was the difference? Why have I not lost these, but I continue to lose those other previous earbuds?
I learned two things in reflecting on this:
First, it was the value. I valued them. Not only for their purchase price, but also the great use I get out of them. Because I had put a higher value on them, it increased my focus and responsibility for them. By adding value to something that we make important, we focus on it more.
Secondly, it was the strategy. Previously, I was putting the earbuds wherever was convenient: the side of the door of the car, my jacket pocket, my desk drawer, just wherever. It was kind of randomized and then I couldn’t remember where I put them.
Now just like my iPhone, I put the earbuds directly in my pants pocket at all times. If I don’t have pockets, which is rare, I put them directly with my iPhone and don’t separate them. Just having the strategy of putting them in the same place, in the same way, all the time has helped me not lose them and know exactly where they are.
What is it in your life that you value and focus more on? It’s important that we continue to make the important thing, the important thing on our journey.
Here I’m talking about a material item, but obviously there are much greater things that we need to value in our lives. Our friends, our relationships, our family, and more.
What is it that you value and what are the strategies you are putting in place to protect those values and interests?
Keep rolling on your journey, friends and keep surviving and thriving.
