By RAY ADLER
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As a young man growing up on a farm, my grandfather taught me how to use tools. He had been a contractor in Fort Wayne building homes and other structures and worked as a trim carpenter.
While he was teaching me how to use a hand saw, he noticed I was taking very short strokes. Grandfather chided me saying that he had paid for the whole saw, so we might as well use all of it. Of course, as a contractor, he had a hole saw as well!
My grandfather’s “old farmer wisdom” is particularly relevant and valuable for a variety of our modern tools. The Adobe software and Microsoft Word (just to name a few) have an abundance of “tools,” which are readily available to the able-bodied or willing user. My partner, Seth Wilson, is an expert at using all the tools and features available on these items of software.
Craftsman of all trades have figured out how to use the “whole saw.” Their knowledge and understanding typically provides a superior product produced using a much easier method. Applying this concept to our world, we have in our pockets one of the most sophisticated and significant tools ever created. I am talking, of course, about the smartphone. Do you ever think about all the ways you use your smartphone? Now, have you ever thought about all the ways in which you don’t use your smartphone? Mind-blowing, huh?
With the almost infinite capabilities of smartphones, many believe the smartphone is degrading our lives and society. Given the addictive allurement of certain apps, particularly social media apps, this may be true. However, have you ever really strategized about how to use your smartphone to make your life more efficient? Instead of treating your smartphone as an accessory or a means of entertainment, try treating it as a tool.
This may be where my grandfather’s farmer wisdom breaks down because there is no possible way to “use the whole saw” when it come to an iPhone. But you could use more of the saw. We all have smartphones, so it seems to me that we might as well take advantage of the capabilities they have.
It is not just smartphones. Whether you like it or not, advanced technology is an ordinary part of our daily lives. My encouragement would be to embrace it and look for opportunities to grow and learn. YouTube videos can make you proficient at nearly anything. Neighbors are also more than happy to provide a helping hand.
As you go throughout your day, remember to use all (or more of) the saw. Technology tips can be reached at the Blog of Seth Wilson. We encourage our staff to use all the tools that we have available.
Educational material and not legal advice, written by the team at Adler attorneys. Email andrea@noblesvilleattorney.com with questions or comments.