Hi everyone and I’m Christian Robicheau back from a really great vacation.
I hope that everyone is doing well!
Today, our president Donna J. Jodhan kicks off July with a very interesting editorial.
Of course, there are several sides to this one and Donna would like to hear from you.
Send your thoughts to donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca
Enjoy your weekend.
We extend belated best birthday greetings to Canada on Canada Day July 01 and to our Neighbours for a happy 250th birthday on July 04.
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Competing With An I Device
By Donna J. Jodhan
In today’s world, it often feels as though we are competing with an iDevice for attention, time, and even identity. Whether it’s a phone buzzing in our pocket, a tablet glowing on a desk, or a watch tapping our wrist, these devices have quietly become constant companions. The question is no longer whether we are competing with them, but how deeply that competition shapes our lives.
Are we winning, or are we losing? The answer depends on how we define victory. By convenience and productivity standards, iDevices often appear to be winning. They remember what we forget, calculate faster than we think, and connect us to more people than we could ever reach on our own. But if winning means being more present, more thoughtful, and more human, then the scorecard becomes far less clear. Many of us feel simultaneously empowered and exhausted—more connected, yet more distracted.
Why are we competing in the first place? Because attention is finite. Every minute spent scrolling is a minute not spent observing, reflecting, or engaging face to face. iDevices are engineered to be efficient, persuasive, and habit-forming. They do not demand competition out of malice; they simply do what they were designed to do—capture and hold attention. The competition arises when their goals begin to overshadow our own.
Is the iDevice winning? In many ways, yes. It often dictates the pace of our days, the tone of our conversations, and even the way we think. We look to screens for answers before trusting our own judgment. We document experiences instead of fully living them. When silence feels uncomfortable and boredom feels intolerable, the device has gained an upper hand.
Yet there are undeniable benefits to an iDevice “winning.” These tools have democratized information, amplified voices, and made learning more accessible than ever before. They enable creativity, efficiency, and global connection. Entire industries, communities, and movements exist
because of them.
A world without iDevices would not necessarily be more thoughtful or more just—it would simply be less connected.
So should we be worried? Concern is healthy; panic is not. The danger is not the device itself, but unexamined dependence on it. When technology begins to replace rather than support critical thinking, empathy, and self-awareness, we risk trading depth for speed and presence for convenience. The worry is not that iDevices are too powerful, but that we may become too passive in how we use them.
What, then, can we do to compete on an even level? First, we can redefine competition. This is not a battle to be won by eliminating technology, but a negotiation about boundaries. Setting intentional limits—screen-free meals, device-free conversations, time reserved for deep work or reflection—restores balance. Second, we can cultivate skills that devices cannot replicate: emotional intelligence, creativity, ethical judgment, and genuine human connection. Third, we can shift from passive consumption to active use, choosing tools that serve our goals rather than surrendering to endless distraction.
Ultimately, competing with an iDevice is really about competing for control of our own attention. When we use technology consciously, it becomes an ally rather than a rival. The goal is not to beat the iDevice, but to ensure that, in a world of glowing screens and constant alerts, we remain fully awake, fully human, and firmly in charge.
I’d like to leave you with this for your consideration.
Tech-savvy – comfortable and skilled with modern devices
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Digitally adept – capable of performing well using digital tools
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Device-enabled – supported or enhanced by an i-device
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Cyber-assisted – subtly implies technological help
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Augmented – suggests performance boosted by technology
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iPowered – informal, modern, Apple-centric tone
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Screen-assisted – neutral, descriptive
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Tech-assisted competitor – clear and direct (short phrase)
Image = Four people sit around a restaurant table with plates of food and glasses of red wine, each person focused on their smartphone instead of interacting with one another, in a warmly lit modern dining setting with green plants in the background.
To learn more about me as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate visit http://www.donnajodhan.com