🔌 Unplug
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Feb 6, 2022
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4 min read
Today, it's no secret that we're constantly bombarded with notifications. Whether it's a message from a friend, a new email in your inbox, or a social media update, these notifications are a constant battle for our attention.
On average, we receive nearly 80 notifications per day, which amounts to one notification every 12 minutes. All these notifications can have a significant impact on our productivity. In fact, every time a notification interrupts your focus, it takes approximately 23 minutes to regain that concentration. So, isn’t the right time to take control of your screen time and clean up those notifications to boost your productivity and reclaim your time?
Understanding the Impact of Notifications on Productivity
Before we diving into practice, let's take a moment to better understand how notifications affect our focus.
🌀 The Science of Interruptions
Have you ever wondered why it's so hard to refocus after being interrupted by a notification? The answer lies in the science of interruptions. When you're in a state of deep focus, any interruption, no matter how brief, can disrupt your thought process. It's not just about the time it takes to check and dismiss a notification; it's the mental effort required to return to your previous task. Studies have shown that it takes an average of 23 minutes to regain full concentration once you've been distracted.
🌪️ The Cost of Multitasking
Notifications often lead to multitasking, a habit that many of us fall into without even realizing it. Multitasking may seem like a way to get more done, but in reality, it diminishes our overall productivity. When you constantly switch between tasks due to notifications, your brain has to juggle multiple cognitive processes, leading to decreased efficiency and increased stress.
🧠 The Psychological Impact
Notifications don't just impact our productivity; they also affect our mental well-being. The constant barrage of alerts can lead to heightened stress and anxiety. The fear of missing out (FOMO) induced by notifications from social media and messaging apps can take a toll on your mental health. Taking control of your notifications can help reduce this psychological burden.
Clean Your Notifications
Now, it's time to take action. Your smartphone, tablet, or computer comes equipped with a notification control panel that allows you to tailor your notifications to your needs. By optimizing your notification settings, you will reduce distractions and improve your productivity.
1️⃣ Step 1: Open the Notification Control Panel
The first step to cleaning up is to access the notification control panel. The process may vary slightly depending on your device's operating system, but generally, you can find it in your device's "Settings" menu under "Notifications."
2️⃣ Step 2: Evaluate Each App
Now, let's break it down app by app. For each app, ask yourself a crucial question: "Do I allow this app to interrupt me at any time?" In most cases, the answer will be a resounding "no," especially for apps like social media or games. That new Instagram follower will still be there later, after all.
3️⃣ Step 3: Adjust Notification Settings
For apps you don't want to be interrupted by, simply turn off the "Allow notifications" toggle. This will completely disable notifications for that app, allowing you to focus without disruptions.
For apps you want to keep notifications for, you can customize the degree of interruption. For example, you may wish to be informed when new content is available on an app without being alerted every minute. In this case, you can disable all alerts except for badges (the little red dot in the corner of an app). This way, you'll still know there's something new to check without a disruptive notification.
Go further with Focus Filters & App Blocking
Sometimes simply disable notifications isn’t enough and we need an extra help to be more focused.
🌙 Focus Filters: Use Do Not Disturb Mode or Work Mode
Focus Filters, available since iOS 16 on iPhone, allow you to automatically turn off notifications from your apps. You can program them to start at specific times or launch them manually. As well as blocking notifications, you can change your phone's wallpaper, hide certain apps and more. Focus Filters are incredibly valuable tools to help you regain control over your notifications and enhance your productivity.
🔒 App blocker and Screen Time Management Tools
Sometimes, simply turning off notifications isn't sufficient, and we may require a little help. For this, you can download an app blocker that will allow you to block the apps of your choice for as long as you need. The most complete tool for iPhone is Jomo, available for free on the App Store.
With Jomo, you can block apps for specific time slots or set time limits on your most distracting apps. Additionally, you can link a blocking session to a concentration mode, and we'll provide more details about this in the following article.
Why managing notifications is important in 2023?
Managing notifications can take several minutes, but it will definitely help you regain hours of your day and improve your ability to focus.
🧠 Enhanced Concentration
With fewer interruptions, you can maintain your focus on tasks for more extended periods, which enhances your overall concentration and efficiency.
🧘♀️ Reduced Stress
Constant notifications can create stress and anxiety. By managing them effectively, you can reduce these negative emotions, creating a more relaxed work environment.
📅 Improved Time Management
By allocating specific times for checking notifications, you can better manage your time and allocate it to tasks that require your undivided attention.
⚡️ Increased Output
The combination of reduced distractions and improved concentration will ultimately result in increased productivity and output. You'll find yourself completing tasks more efficiently.
Notifications are a double-edged sword. While they can keep us informed, they often hinder productivity and cause unnecessary stress. By taking control of your notifications, you can regain your focus, boost your productivity, and reduce stress. In today's fast-paced digital world, the power to manage notifications effectively is a valuable skill. Take the first step toward a more productive, focused, and balanced life.
