3 Ways to Break Bad Cell Phone Habits (DQ Solo)

#162:

When was the last time you inspected your information diet?

 

As we stand on the precipice of a sure-to-be-polarizing 10 weeks leading up to the US Presidential Election (shout out to my international readers who get to bypass this circus)…

 

…against the backdrop of a global pandemic, no less…

 

…it’s now more important than ever to inspect the information you’re consuming, both the quantity and quality.

 

If you’re like most people, the #1 way you ingest your information diet is through your phone.

 

Which is why in today’s podcast I talk about 3 Strategies to Break Bad Cell Phone Habits:

 

Quantify Your Cell Phone Usage

 

Most people underestimate the amount of time they spend on their phones by 50%. If that’s the case for you, you’re likely over-consuming information.

 

To break that pattern, you need to know the following 3 metrics:

How many times a day you check your phone How much screen time you spend on your phone What time(s) of the day you spend the most time on your screen

 

If you’re an iPhone user, I recommend downloading Moment app.

If you’re on Android, go with Quality Time.

 

Turn Off Your Notifications

 

Every time your phone rings, pings, buzzes and flashes…

 

…signifying “breaking news”…

…notifying you of someone liking your post…

…the 20% Pottery Barn coupon email…

 

You’re ingesting low-quality information that distracts you from living a life of intention and focus.

 

 

Replace Your Phone as Your Alarm Clock

 

Some studies have shown the simple act of removing your cell phone from the bedroom can reduce your screen time by up to 50%.

 

Think about it: if you’re not laying in bed at night doing the endless scroll, or diving into your phone as soon as the alarm goes off in the morning…you can end up saving yourself a lot of time.

 

 

All of these are important strategies not only for breaking bad cell phone habits, but also for helping you upgrade your information diet.

 

Trust me, in 10 weeks, you’ll be able to tell the difference between those who have, and those who haven’t.

 

I know which one I’ll be.

 

-DQ