In our latest post we take a closer look at the different ways you can adopt and ‘all or nothing’ approach to using your phone… and you can too!
If you’re like me, your phone can be a major time drain. The constant pings draw you in, and before you know it, you’ve spent an hour mindlessly scrolling through social media. I often find myself caught in the trap of an “all or nothing” mindset with my phone: either spending hours on it and neglecting work, or wanting to stash it away to avoid distractions but worrying about missing important notifications.
Sound familiar? The good news is, there’s a more sustainable middle ground that you can start implementing right away—it’s already at your fingertips!
Streamline Your Home Screen
The key here is to rethink your home screen as a collection of apps you control. Identify apps that lead to mindless scrolling (like social media or email) and move them off your main screen.
Try categorising your apps:
Tools
Apps that help you accomplish specific tasks like navigation or scheduling.
Worm Holes
Apps that are addictive and pull you in, like social media.
Aspirations
Apps that represent what you want to be doing, such as reading or exercising.
Now, rearrange your home screen to include only “tools” and “aspirations.” Put everything else on a different page or in your app drawer.
If you don’t use it almost every day, move it away!
Minimise Notifications
Reduce most notifications except for critical ones like calls or calendar reminders. Customise how notifications appear to minimise distractions. Try using your ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode.
Accessible from your phone’s settings, it helps you stay focused by silencing non-essential alerts. You can customise it to allow certain calls or messages through during urgent times. For maximum efficiency, explore features like “Modes” or “Automation” on your phone. These can automate Do Not Disturb settings based on your schedule, minimising distractions during work or down time.
Delete Distraction Apps
Consider deleting apps that are major distractions. If you’re serious about minimizing distractions, this can be an effective step!
………. or atleast remove them!
For others, like me, moving these apps out of sight into a folder can be enough of a barrier to reduce usage. Remember, finding balance and sustainable changes that fit your goals is key. Adding obstacles to accessing distracting apps might work better than deleting them altogether.
…..Remember, you can regain control over your phone usage and make it a more intentional part of your day – Giving you time to really focus on studying!
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