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- The Small Changes to Reclaim Your Time and Focus
Quote of Today
“People usually judge you based on where you are at currently, not what you could become eventually. Don't let one comment stop you from trying. File it away or use it as fuel. Focus on getting better. Someone else's analysis of your current position doesn't tell you anything about your current potential.“
☀️ Officially the start of Summer! Here is a quick question for you: What is getting too much of your time right now? What is getting too little?
⏰ Sometimes it’s good to pause and reflect on where we’re allocating our time. On with the newsletter…
⚡️Focus of Today
Welcome, Little by Little readers! Today, let's dive into the relentless barrage of pings, dings, and rings that command our attention throughout the day – phone notifications. On average, an American checks their phone about 96 times a day, and approximately 46% of Americans admit to checking their smartphones before even getting out of bed. A research study from RescueTime found that people, on average, spend 3 hours and 15 minutes on their phones every day. But what if we could tell you that making small adjustments to your notification settings could drastically improve your focus, productivity, and mental well-being? Welcome to the world of optimized notifications.
Silence the Noise: One of the simplest ways to reduce distraction is to turn your phone on 'Do Not Disturb' mode during your most productive hours or while engaging in important tasks. This allows you to focus on your work without the constant interruption of notifications. 🔕
Say No to Notification Badges: You know those little red circles with numbers that appear on your app icons? They're a constant reminder of unread messages and updates. By turning off these notification badges, you reduce the visual clutter and sense of urgency to check your phone. 🚨
Customize Your Alerts: Not all notifications are created equal. Customize your notification settings so that only the most important ones get through. This might mean allowing calls from your favorite contacts or urgent emails, but muting social media updates. 🔔
Schedule 'Check-in' Times: Rather than responding to notifications as they come in, schedule specific times throughout the day to check your phone. This ensures you're not constantly interrupted and can maintain a deep focus on your tasks. ⏰
Uninstall Unnecessary Apps: The fewer apps you have, the fewer notifications you'll receive. Uninstall any apps that you don't use frequently or that you find particularly distracting. ❌
Swap Push for Pull: Instead of allowing apps to send you 'push' notifications, check your apps manually when you want to 'pull' information. This returns control of your time and attention back to you. 📲
🚶♂️ By taking these small steps to manage your notifications, you're reclaiming your time and attention from the incessant demands of the digital world. Remember, each small change is a step towards greater digital wellness. It's time to take back control and put our phones back in their place - as tools that serve us, not the other way around. As always, progress is made little by little. Ready to take the first step?
With love,
— Amir and Erik
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