Commentary
Join The Cult Of Looking Up
- by Cory Treffiletti , Featured Contributor, September 8, 2010
The next time you're walking down the street, take a moment to realize how much of your day is spent looking down. Then take a look around and observe this same behavior in the masses around you.
I realized this the other day when I was in a cab in San Francisco. It was a beautiful, hot (which is rare) day in SF and I didn't notice it for a few minutes because I was too busy looking down. I was engaged with the screen of my iPhone, checking email, checking Facebook, checking the digital status of my life -- and all the while, I was missing the moment. That's when I realized that the present was passing me by!
Upon realizing this phenomenon, I decided to get out of the cab and walk to my destination. When I began to walk, I noticed at least half the people on the street were either looking down at their phones, looking at books while they walked, or simply looking down at the street in front of them.
An epiphany washed over me as it became clear that we spend too much of our time looking down and not enough time looking up! I know it sounds cheesy, but I think our outlook on life is heavily influenced by the fact that we spend so much time looking down and we miss out on the beauty that is the now. By looking down that day, I was missing out on such much -- the beautiful sunshine and the interesting people walking by me on the street.
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I've read all the studies that say multitasking has a negative effect on our ability to be focused and effective. Even more important, I think you need to enjoy where you are at this exact moment and take it all in. When you're walking down the street, you should look up, or at the very least look forward.
If you're a marketer, you need to see the world for what it's worth. If you're a salesperson, you need to see the people around you. If you're a writer, you need to find inspiration in the world that's laid out in front of you. If you're looking down, you can't possibly do any of that!
So this week I want to start a movement. I want to encourage you to abandon the Cult Of Looking Down and join the Cult Of Looking Up!
Start simply by putting your phone in your pocket and looking up when you walk down the street. When you're in a cab, look out the window. Enjoy the day for what it is, and I bet you'll start being a little bit more "upbeat"!
And if you're really so inclined, check out the Facebook page for The Cult Of Looking Up! There's no content, and no reason to be there other than to make a statement. I launched it just to see how many people would agree they should be looking up once in a while.
And don't forget to tell other people around you that they need to look up. Maybe, just maybe, a little movement like this will get people smiling a bit more during their day!
What an inspiring post Cory. You are so right, we are permanently glued to a "down" position. I touched on this topic in a blog post I wrote this morning about the way we now work. Always connected, always "on," always working. What happened to living? Thank you for making me look up today.
A personally timely piece! I was just walking the beach this morning and noticed that, looking down searching for shells, I missed the dolphins...great point and appreciate your redirection. We can all take advantage of a new perspective!
My neck has started to hurt more because of how much I look down at my smart phone. I agree we all need to start looking up and for many different reasons! Very insightful and timely post, thank you!
A side benefit will be that you will bump into and otherwise obstruct the sidewalk progress of the rest of us that much less. Seriously, the "looking down" crowd have become a real nuisance on the streets and highways and subway platforms of New York, not to mention a danger to themselves. So fine, smell the roses or whatever, just pay attention to where you're going.
Fun Article. However I do think there is great worth to looking down:)
As a writer or a creator, there is plenty to see looking down. Have you ever seen how cracks in the sidewalks transform into creatures, scenes from an abstract concrete theater, inspiring those who want to see and not just look? Or how sometimes a rock can look like a pig? If you can find the Virgin Mary in a grilled cheese sandwich by looking up, I guess you could find this in the concrete by looking down: http://tinyurl.com/2co43wy - I love the way whoever saw the form in this crack went with it.
As a marketer pressed for something interesting for a client at Moscone trade center years ago, I got my best idea looking down. A painted sewer cap. WIth all that foot traffic, what a great place to introduce Applied Materials new blue logo.
Speaking of the worth of looking down, I've found a lot of money this way. Some say I'm lucky. But luck is just where preparation meets opportunity!
Thanks for the inspiring article.
Thanks, Cory: I needed to hear this.
Great piece. I vow to stop being a "mouse potato" and "Droid Head." I think looking up is much more preferable than missing life.
Yes, close that damn phone and look around. This will be the sorriest generation ever since these have been the years where the unsocialization took off at this speed.
Good stuff. Thx for the reminder.
I find this is a great way to clear you mind and find inspiration. Just look around and let your mind wander and you will be suprised in the long run how much work you get done.