See that little shiny piece of technology that you are holding in your hand?

That piece of technology had become as essential as my wallet & keys.

On the night of August 5th, I turned off my phone for the final time for 365 days.

Yes, you read that right.

For the next year, I'll be turning it off and won't use it at all.

No calls, no texts, no apps, no photos.

No more reaching for it at the first sign of boredom.

I know it sounds crazy, right?

In this age of hyper-connectivity, who would voluntarily choose to disconnect?

Let me explain.

Have you ever stopped to think despite being more connected than ever in human history, we genuinely lack connection? Standing in line waiting for coffee or having dinner with our friends/family, cell phones are everywhere.

Are we going through the motions, 'liking,' 'sharing,' and 'posting' without seeing, hearing, or understanding?

This isn't just about turning off my cell phone; it's deeper than that.

It's about reconnecting with people, life, and the world around me.

It's about being more present and intentional with my family, friends, and work.

I'm turning this entire experience into a book.

I will document my experiences, insights, struggles, and triumphs throughout this year-long journey.

I'll reflect on how we live our lives in this age of hyper-connectivity with more intentionality.

To question if being constantly 'connected' means we're truly connecting.

Just because we are always on doesn't mean it's always right.

Now, don't worry, I'm not going off the grid entirely.

I'll still utilize email for work while prioritizing face-to-face conversations. (insert email on screen)

With my coaching clients out of state, Zoom will remain the primary method of communication.

As keynote speaking continues to grow nationwide, the most significant difference will be paper boarding passes and no longer the Delta app.

Dr. Maxwell Maltz once said, "Often the difference between a successful man and a failure is not one's better abilities or ideas, but the courage that one has to bet on his ideas, to take a calculated risk - and to act."

So here it is, my pledge for the next 365 days. Putting the phone away to see who I become on the other side of this journey.

Last, I'm grateful to my wife, Andrea, for her love and support as I embark on this journey.

I'm excited to share this process with all of you.