Recently in the Learn A Superpower series I spoke about how best to rid yourself of distractions in order to gain the newly established super power of concentration. We explored how the ability to concentrate is an ever diminishing commodity in today's world.
We also saw how being able to concentrate on any given subject for chunks of at least an hour without any type of distraction was the most advantageous way to work, because it produced the highest quality results.
Then we saw how even hearing or seeing a notification without responding to it, is still dragging your attention away from the task in hand.
Lastly we saw how the main cause of distraction in the world today is the internet along with it's commander in chief, the smartphone, so therefore we must learn to control these things, and not have it the other way around.
However it is all very well and good knowing that we must behave in this way, but quite another thing when it comes to actually doing it.
So these next set of articles are going to give you a practical guide for how to regain control over the digital tools in your life.
How Smart Is Your Phone?
Seriously if your phone was truly smart it would know when you didn't want to be bothered with banal trivia. However it is just a clever(dumb) machine and so therefore forwards everything to you without a filter, that bit is up to you!
Turn It Off!
Try it right now, unless you're expecting a baby or news about a dying relative, or anything else equally important, or of course you're using it to read this article, then turn your phone off right this second.
Now look out of the window; are planes falling out of the sky?
Are there people and objects whizzing past your window in a west-to-east direction at 1000 mph? (Indicating the world has stopped spinning)
No? Are you sure?
What about fires, or hurricanes?
OK, now turn it back on, did you get any messages?
Any that matter?
Get into this habit, not just for 20 seconds or so, but for longer and longer periods.
Concentration Tip:
If you need to do something important, turn off your phone. Do not put it on silent, as this can still lead to a visual distraction.
Concentration Tip:
If you work in the day and you have a landline, turn your phone off until lunchtime, then give yourself 15 minutes to check messages. Do not turn back on until you're home after your evening meal.
Right Tool Right Job
When I last spoke about distraction, somebody asked me about Whatsapp, they wondered if they should delete it, and they were worried how they were going to cope if I said yes.
Here's the thing, Whatsapp, BBM, and any other messenger app you may use are useful tools. I personally use Whatsapp to send pictures, because it's free, and call relatives in foreign countries, for the same reason. In fact I use it to make regular calls when I'm home because of the terrible phone reception in my area.
I also use it to form and join social groups surrounding particular occasions like birthdays, weddings, etc. I am not unique in this, if you have Whatsapp you probably use it in a similar way.
The danger comes is if instead of using Whatsapp and others like it for all of the above, you start using it to alleviate boredom, this is misuse of the tool. It is the equivalent of trying to get your car started by hitting the ignition key with a hammer. You may get some success, but overall your car will suffer.
Deletion Required
- Games
So go through your smartphone and get rid of Candy Crush and any other games, as these are the worst destroyers of concentration, your attention span can be measured in seconds if you play these with any regularity.
sidenote: If your response to the above is to reject it because of a meaningless high score, or because you think you can control your gaming, you beyond help and you are doomed to a life of non-attention.
- Messenger Apps
Whether it's Whatsapp or another app of this type you need to do two things to make sure that you are using it correctly.
Step 1: Remove the shortcut-icon from your home screen, unless you use it for mission-critical type work, you don't need to see it all the time.
Step 2: Disable/mute notifications, again, unless it is mission-critical to stay connected every waking moment, you do not need to know the exact second a message comes in.
- Other Apps
There are a myriad of other applications that don't fall into the above two categories. However I'll leave that to you to work out which ones you really need on your home screen, and whether you actually need them at all.
Concentration Tip:
When assessing the usefulness of an application on your phone, first ask; what is this app's purpose? Secondly ask if you will need to use it?
If you cannot identify the function or a need for it, delete the app. If you do use it, then ask yourself how often you need to.
Unless you answer 'several times a day' then the app does not need to be on your home screen, remove the shortcut.
Related Articles:
Incredible You! - A Superpower You Can Learn
Incredible You! - A Superpower You Can Learn - Part 2 Beating Distraction
Incredible You! - A Superpower You Can Learn - Part 3 - Mind Training
Incredible You! - A Superpower You Can Learn - Part 4 - Improving Concentration Via Memory
IN THE NEXT ARTICLE I'LL BE BREAKING DOWN HOW TO USE THE INTERNET AND STILL MAINTAIN AND EVEN INCREASE YOUR CONCENTRATION LEVELS.
UNTIL THEN IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCENTRATION WOES, AS EVER, LET ME KNOW BELOW!
Title Image Kevin Grieve on Unsplash