This advice from Tom Hanks changed how I work
I was writing a book about the perils of recklessly chasing new things when I had an idea: I should interview Tom Hanks. I had read about how Hanks was an avid typewriter collector, and the typewriter seemed like the perfect foil to today’s futuristic gizmos. It’s heavy and impractical. It has no connection to the internet, no delete key, no spell check. You can’t use artificial intelligence to…
When Tom Hanks was interviewed about writing a book on the dangers of hastily pursuing new things, he suggested interviewing him instead. Hanks, known for his passion for typewriter collecting, was the ideal person to symbolize an analog experience stripped down to the basics. He received a surprising response from Hanks' publicist just three hours after sending an email.
Hanks, like many, uses modern-day technology for work, including laptops, email, and a smartphone. However, he believes that these tools are not necessary beyond basic necessities. Hanks stated that any new app, device, or technology only adds more notifications, distractions, and time consumption to one's life. He shared a childhood memory of his father using manual labor tools to create something, which he equates with the purpose of his typewriter.
He finds it difficult to work with tools but excels with a typewriter. Hanks uses it to travel with, away from his laptop, to create rough and sloppy writing that eventually becomes something special. He posed a question that has stayed with him since the interview: "What do you need in order to unlock that mysterious potential within you?"
In the era of numerous tools promising efficiency, Hanks advises against upgrading just for the sake of it, urging to ask oneself which tools are truly needed to unlock one's potential.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
