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Phones and apps reduce your ability to focus even when they don’t distract you

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Re: Phones and apps reduce your ability to focus even when they don’t distract you

#131

Post by tomjen3 »

aerospace_guy wrote: post #106
2ion wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have my phone in do not disturb mode 24/7. The only exceptions are "VIP" contacts from close family...everything else can wait until next morning 8am when I'm checking personal stuff first thing or until around 8pm when I have my evening distraction session. So. If I do get an audible notification, it's almost always urgent, bad news.

> I have my phone in do not disturb mode 24/7 Me too. I've recommended it to so many people, but I think many are so addicted to that dopamine hit they find it hard to do.

I have found that I am involved with too many things with too many random people for that to work, so instead I flip my phone to silent mode whenever I am doing something interesting or with people, and then if somebody notify when when I am browsing hn, that is probably fine.

I have DND on during the night and work day. Like gp, if somebody can make it sound at 4 A.M, I want to be there to take the call, but it is almost certainly bad news.

Re: Phones and apps reduce your ability to focus even when they don’t distract you

#132

Post by 83457 »

WhyNotHugo wrote: post #39

I'm constantly amazed at how the mainstream population uses phones. Most people tend to have phone with alarming-notifications, so they get informed that they have a message, or email or whatever. The phone interrupts them and directs their attention. They train themselves to be controlled by their phones. I'd go crazy trying to live like that. I have no audible notifications, and vibration only for actual calls. Eve…

I was maintaining an esports community/business on the side for a few years with discord and social media profiles. I eventually just turned off all notifications as it was too much. I would instead check app notifications and apps directly a couple times a day unless there was an event/tournament coming up that required a faster response. I can't imagine having to live with all notifications for these platforms enabled and responding immediately.

Re: Phones and apps reduce your ability to focus even when they don’t distract you

#133

Post by shaicoleman »

To enable deep work, I've started incorporating offline sessions (1 hour long on average) into my day ("offline pomodoros").

I only go back online when I need a mental break or when I'm completely blocked.

It seems to help with productivity and improve my well-being.

I've also got a second used phone which I use for work purposes (e.g. 2FA, Calendar reminders and production alerts) to reduce distractions. I don't find the work phone's presence to be distracting.

Re: Phones and apps reduce your ability to focus even when they don’t distract you

#134

Post by 83457 »

GoblinSlayer wrote: post #90
WhyNotHugo wrote: post #39

I'm constantly amazed at how the mainstream population uses phones. Most people tend to have phone with alarming-notifications, so they get informed that they have a message, or email or whatever. The phone interrupts them and directs their attention. They train themselves to be controlled by their phones. I'd go crazy trying to live like that. I have no audible notifications, and vibration only for actual calls. Eve…

For me vibration is very intrusive notification, if the phone is on the table, the table all but explodes, a melody without vibration is a much softer notification.

I hate the sound of my wife's iphone on vibrate. She has it on silent but then I hear this annoying sound from across the room. I would definitely be a fan of some nice sound instead of vibrate or the common ping sounds.

Re: Phones and apps reduce your ability to focus even when they don’t distract you

#135

Post by corobo »

PragmaticPulp wrote: post #53
vegetablepotpie wrote: post #8

> Cal Newport said it best in his book Deep Work: the ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy. As a consequence, the few who cultivate this skill, and then make it the core of their working life, will thrive. The people who cultivate that skill, stay up late at night while everyone is asleep so they don’t get distracted. T…

I did exactly this early in my career: Stayed up late, got work done outside of business hours, suffered the consequences. Later I started being more assertive about my time. Meeting request in the middle of my core work hours? Decline as busy, suggest to move it to a lunch meeting or offer to call the person after working hours (Everyone chooses lunch meeting instead of after hours). People tapping me on the shoulde…

You became more assertive of your time by giving up lunch and off hours?

Re: Phones and apps reduce your ability to focus even when they don’t distract you

#137

Post by ip26 »

WhyNotHugo wrote: post #39

I'm constantly amazed at how the mainstream population uses phones. Most people tend to have phone with alarming-notifications, so they get informed that they have a message, or email or whatever. The phone interrupts them and directs their attention. They train themselves to be controlled by their phones. I'd go crazy trying to live like that. I have no audible notifications, and vibration only for actual calls. Eve…

I'm all about minimizing notifications - however, a letter is a terrible way for my friend to let me know they are running ten minutes late to meet me, or for my neighbor to ask for a quick task, etc. So texts still alert me.

Re: Phones and apps reduce your ability to focus even when they don’t distract you

#139

Post by TheAdamAndChe »

slk500 wrote: post #138

marketing article to promote their app, looks like a spam to me

Most links posted to this site are posted for a financial reason one way or another. That doesn't mean they aren't interesting or intellectually stimulating.

Re: Phones and apps reduce your ability to focus even when they don’t distract you

#140

Post by hintymad »

augustk wrote: post #127
nondave wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What does IC mean here?

Integrated circuit? https://blog.mitchjlee.com/2020/your-writing-style-is-costly

My bad. You’re right, and thanks for the link. Unfortunately the window for editing is closed.
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