Here’s the easiest way I know to be more productive:
Don’t let any apps send you notifications.
Smart phones are awesome but they’re also annoying. If anything happens on any messaging, email or social media app, it tells you.
There’s a noise and then that enticing red-apple-looking-notification sign with a number of how many juicy messages you get.
I’ve removed them all. My phone doesn’t tell me if I get an email or message.
The apps are still on my phone, they just don’t talk to me.
They can wait, thank you very much.
A number in a little red bubble doesn’t have the right to divert my attention.
I let them all accrue- messages, dms, notifications, emails.
And then I go and visit them when I’m ready.
I’ll look at you and deal with you when I’m good and ready. And some days I’m simply not ready. I can check tomorrow or next week or never.
Of course it does take some training to fight the urge to check. But once you get over that, you’re a bit free aren’t you?
And that’s pretty nice.
Less time reacting to red number bubbles and more doing things that matter to you.
