How Cell Phone distraction at work can affect your Work-Life Balance?

Hi, my name is Neil and I spend an average of four hours on my phone. If this sounds like you, then you have a problem. You may have endless excuses to use your phone from checking work emails to messaging your clients but mostly you just mindlessly scroll for the most part. There comes a point where you do not realize whether your smartphone is making your life any easier or it just makes it easier for you to while away the time. Did you know your phone is not surgically attached to your hand? So, act like it because cell phone distraction at work is a serious concern.

Going cold turkey on your smartphone addiction can have some withdrawal effects. You may want to check your phone constantly, even when there is nothing on it to distract you. So, give yourself some breathing space and gradually reduce your screen time. You realise eventually that you do not have to check your phone every time it dings. You can go for a walk instead and not to sound cliche, actually stop to smell the roses. As a famous children’s author says, “Everyone should be quiet near a little stream and listen”.

You will be amazed by the impact it can have on your work life and productivity. Here are some ways your productivity improves:

Cell phone distraction at work can be the biggest hindrance in your performance

Since you are not constantly distracted by your phone you have a lot of time at hand to be in your zone. Your efficiency increases with minimal smartphone distractions.

New avenues

When you are not mindlessly scrolling through multiple unnecessary apps your mind can go to creative lengths that you could not previously imagine. Concentrating on your work takes a little willpower and you may get your work done quicker than usual. Your cellphone is constantly flooded with notifications which distract you from your work.

Not only does the minimal smartphone distraction help you getting more focussed at work, but it also improves your well being.

Improved sleeping habits

Without the blue light glaring at your face at night, you sleep better. Needless to say, better sleep keeps you energetic throughout the day. You spend your time creatively and more efficiently. You feel more in control with your sleep schedule with no text messages to bother you.

You are more present and more compassionate

After you surgically remove your smartphone from your hands you realize you are more present and not talking to people while looking at your phone mindlessly. You are more mindful of things and people around you which also makes your relationships more compassionate.

Spend time mindfully

When you have successfully overcome the nagging that you have to check your phone every ten minutes, you tend to be more creative and contemplative. With more time to spare you turn to mindful activities like engaging yourself in a hobby or activities like cooking.

Your need for validation goes down

Honestly, we all like a little bit of validation in our lives but putting it on hold is not the hardest thing to do. You would eventually realise that you now have a reduced need of social media validation and that can boost your confidence as well.

The only downturn to cutting down on your screen time is now you do not have nice little distractions or entertainment and you tend to be antsier. But at the end of the day, you do need a break from your smartphone and regain that much-needed sense of purpose in both your work life and your personal life. Feeling of missing out (FOMO) is very much real and you have to be socially relevant but truth be told, living with a minimal cellphone distraction is not the worst thing in the world.

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(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Energy Dais.)