It's a familiar story: a woman checks her cell phone while working, gets flooded with notifications, loses focus, and struggles to regain her previous productivity levels. We’ve all experienced this, and it's nothing to be embarrassed about. However, if you're aiming to regain some productivity and avoid falling into the phone trap, here are a few tips that might help.
1. **Create Some Rules**: Setting rules for yourself might be irritating, but it's quite effective. Decide on specific times when it's okay to use your phone and when it's not. For example, checking your phone during lunch breaks or designated short breaks is fine, but doing so during meetings or in the middle of a Pomodoro session could be distracting. This approach allows you to enjoy your phone use without being too strict.
2. **Use Productivity Apps**: Surprisingly, your phone could be the key to using it less. Apps like Forest, Freedom, and Moment can block distracting websites and apps, helping you put your phone aside more easily. Explore a few productivity apps and consider adding them to your home screen.
3. **Manage Notifications**: Notifications are often the root of the problem. To make your phone less distracting, disable notifications for social media, games, and other non-work-related apps. Keep crucial alerts—you don't want to miss important ones—but Instagram updates on your ex’s dog aren't necessary.
4. **Activate “Do Not Disturb” Mode**: Most smartphones have a Do Not Disturb (DND) mode. Utilize this feature during work hours to block calls, messages, and other notifications that might disrupt your concentration. You can find it in the "Settings" section and customize it to allow interruptions only for emergencies.
5. **Keep Your Phone Out of Sight**: The saying "out of sight, out of mind" certainly applies to phones. By keeping your phone in a drawer, bag, or another room, you reduce the temptation to check it constantly. Simply placing your charger in a different room can make the effort of retrieving your phone a deterrent, allowing you to focus better on your work.