What does your ringtone say about you? More importantly, what does your ringtone say to you?
I used to be the “default ringtone guy”. We all know that ringtone; it's the one where everyone around you scrambles to check their phone when yours goes off.
During a rainy few weeks last year, I switched to “Duck” and no longer set everyone around me scrambling. Instead, smiles erupted, fun comments flowed, and I laughed each time I received a call.
Your Ringtone Represents Your Mindset
“A simple ringtone
can have a positive
impact on your
attitude & actions”
A few weeks ago, I decided to update my ringtone to reflect my intentionally changingย mindset. Mr. Duck represented “rainy days” to me every time I heard it, even though it made me laugh. While often accurate in Ohio, my mental picture each time I heard the quacks was clouds & rain. That certainly does not reflect my intentionally positive mindset and it wasn't particularly encouraging.
My inspiration to create a meaningful ringtone comes fromย Dan Miller, author ofย 48 Days to the Work You Love. Dan often speaks of the importance of his ringtone to his mindset during his 48 Daysย podcasts. Dan's ringtone is fromย U2's Beautiful Day. Beautiful Day's chorus is simple and to the point:
It's a beautiful day
Sky falls, you feel like
It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
The message of Beautiful Day is positive and encouraging. As you listen to the song, you can't help but feel better.
Dan is intentional about not letting his Beautiful Day mindset fade. As a result, his mindset is clear throughout his blogs and podcast. His philosophy that a simple ringtone will have a positive impact on attitudes and actions convinced me to seek an alternative to Mr. Duck.
Choosing A Great Ringtone
In addition to deciding to change my ringtone, I alsoย determined to figure out how to make a ringtone on my own. Knowing how to make ringtones come naturally to my digital native kids. You've probably gotten a few “well, duh's” from your kids too.
For me, it was unfamiliar territory and a fun challenge. I'll go through the ringtone creation process in a future post.
I was looking for a ringtone that would have aย positive impact on my mindset, attitudes, and actions. I had already developed a short list when my oldest son discovered the group Imagine Dragons and downloaded their first album Night Visions. Heย shared the album with us on trips to The Farm.
I quickly became an Imagine Dragons fan and download their music for myself. The chorus to “I'm on Top of the World” quickly rose to the top of my list as the best ringtone for me.
The message in the chorus ofย I'm on Top of The World is meaningful to me because it compliments my mindset and intentions:
I take it in but donโt look down
โCause Iโm on top of the world, โay
Iโm on top of the world, โay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
Iโve been waiting to smile, โay
Been holding it in for a while, โay
Take you with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
Iโm on top of the world.
Like Beautiful Day, Imagine Dragon'sย I'm on Top of The Worldย is positive and upbeat. It improves my mood each time I hear it; I think “fun” instead of “rain” when Mr. Duck announces a call. Yes, “I am on top of the world”.
The simple message of “I'm on Top of the World” serves as a reminder that my principles and purpose plus my intentional actions are making the “top of the world” realistic and reachable.
The line “Take you with me if I can” reminds me of my potentialย and responsibility to positively influence others. If I can take you with me the top, that's meaningful impact.
Three Reasons to Change Your Ringtone
- It serves as a reminder of what is important. “I'm on top of the world” is not a position, it is a mindset.
- It is a great conversation starter. I love to answer questions about Imagine Dragons, “where” I got theย ringtone and why I chose it.
- It sets you apart from the crowd.
“Take you with
me if I can;
Been dreaming of this
since a child;
Iโm on top of the
world”
Changing a ringtone is easy and entirely worth the few minutes it takes to make. If you have not done one before, give it a shot.ย Dan Miller's philosophy that a simple ringtone can have a positive impact is spot on.
Each time I hear “I'm on Top of the World”, my mood improves. My “top of the world” mindset is realistic and reachable.
Most importantly, it energizes me.ย “I'm on Top of the World” reminds me that I can influence others and have a meaningful impact on others.
What's your ringtone, and what does it say to you?
Photo Source: Old Phone Quino Al on Unsplash
Night Visions cover source: www.imaginedragonsmusic.com
My ring-tone is just supposed to sound like and ‘old-fashioned’ phone – Rrriiingg! Rrriingg! I may change it to Austin (Blake Shelton), but I kind of like the vintage ‘Rrriiingg!’
Katie, I like the vintage too & have it on my personal cell. See you soon!
My ring-tone is just supposed to sound like and ‘old-fashioned’ phone – Rrriiingg! Rrriingg! I may change it to Austin (Blake Shelton), but I kind of like the vintage ‘Rrriiingg!’
Katie, I like the vintage too & have it on my personal cell. See you soon!
I’ve had my phone on vibrate since about 2008 — through a BlackBerry, two Android phones, one iPhone and two iPads! In fact, when I accidentally turn the ringer on, I miss calls. What does that say about me? Your post has inspired me, though. If I bring back the ringtone on my phone, I think I’ll choose Jogging Gorgeous Summer by Islands.
Nate, glad to hear you are inspired! I’m not sure what the vibrate setting say about or to you; man of silence?? I definitely like the chorus’ lyrics to Jogging Gorgeous Summer; a relaxing ringtone with meaning. Give it a shot!