Take back control.
A tool is a device that is CONTROLLED by a person.
In today's day and age, the development of technology has created functions that make it easy for us humans to fall into feeling like we are the tool and the device uses us.
It's time to take back your power by using technology instead of being led by it.
I'd like to share a few tactics I have adopted that have helped to empower my own use of technology. Please note, I use an iPhone. So if you are an android user, I can only assume that there are similar settings and actions you can take.
Activate screen time settings on your smartphone. My iPhone allows me to create time limits for categories of apps. When I reach the limit, the app icon greys out and if I open it I am given a choice to say okay and it shuts down, or ignore and I will be reminded in 15 minutes or ignore for the day. Some may find the intrusion annoying and it can be, but it’s also annoying when your bladder makes you pop out in the middle of a great movie at the theatre. Body function has priority over entertainment. No different than focusing your attention is more important than random headlines and posts that aren’t going to pay your bills.
Remove the red circle badge notifications from apps that are not part of how you communicate with others. For me, I have a badge on my text/iMessage app and the Facebook Messenger app. These are where I connect with those that matter. I don’t have it on my mail app, my reason being that email is work, and I do better work when I am at my computer and to avoid being distracted from whatever project I am focused on, I turn off notifications about emails as well. I want to be the person in charge of when I read my email and when to respond.
Turn off Siri Suggestions. It is the list of apps you regularly access that pop up when you swipe right on the home screen, as well when you swipe down to use the search function. This puts you in charge of what app you open. Doing this one thing puts you in charge. You are making the intentional choice to open an app.
Clean up your home screen. Showcase the ‘tools’ that you regularly use on your home screen. Any and other apps can be combined into a folder or more depending on your needs. I have one called ‘stuff’ and another called ‘work’. This way when you open your phone you aren’t overwhelmed with options. Instead, you either search for or navigate to the app you intended to use when you picked up your phone.
Make your internet browser home screen blank. Remove all bookmarks at a glance. I find Safari has done a good job of this. Chrome does allow you to remove some bookmarks in the home google screen. I removed social media pages and kept access to pages that I use for my business.
“Silence Unknown Callers” in your phone app. Any unknown numbers will be silenced and directed to voicemail. If the call is important, the caller will leave a message. I also love the iPhone’s transcript where you can quickly read and see if the message requires your attention now or later. In a day of never-ending spam callers, this is a great way to limit the distraction from your phone. But NOTE: turn it off when you may be expecting a call from a client, customer or colleague who you don’t have a number for in your address book. I’d be curious to see if the new iOS shortcuts would be a way of making it easier to find and turn the setting on and off.
I would love to hear of tactics and practices you use to make the most of what technology offers. Please comment below.
P.S. I would like to acknowledge that the background of my iPhone screen is a capture of Patrick LaMontagne’s creature illustration.
