150 opportunities to get busy or be calm. You choose?
- The average user checks their phone 150 times a day, about every 6.5 minutes
- The average time a user checks their phone is 9 times an hour;
- ‘Highest frequency users’ check their phones once every 6 seconds.
- On average, users spend 3 hours and 16 minutes on their mobile device
- Of that, Australians spend 2.7 hours a day socializing on their mobile device
WOW!
Turn it all around
Wouldn’t it be great if we could turn that data on it’s head. Instead of your mobile device being a source of distraction, let it be your mindfulness reminder. The next time you find yourself unlocking your phone, check in to see if you are acting consciously or mindlessly. Is there really something urgent that needs your attention, or could you instead use this spare moment to get present – take 3 deep breaths, connect more deeply to the landscape around you, smile at another human, or check in on how you are feeling physically. Think about the impact that could have on the quality of your work and work relationships.
Bombardment of distraction
Similarly, when we are at work, we are bombarded by electronic communication. Emails, Lync messages, Yammer, SMS, online notifications. It raises my pulse rate just thinking about it! There’s no doubt we are more connected now than ever before thanks to social media and other virtual collaboration tools, but how connected do you really feel? Face to face connection and collaboration can bring benefits far deeper than the obvious productivity and efficiency gains.
Face to face in person communication
There is something uniquely human about face to face, in person communication. You get a sense of someone’s energy and of their mood. These types of insights can make the difference between good to great quality outcomes. Sure, there is very definitely a place for virtual communication. It fills the gaps so well in this increasingly global, fast paced world. But perhaps there is a need to reconsider the balance between e-communication and real-communication. One way to make this more conscious is to consider the choice everytime you go to connect with someone online. Consider if you could connect with them in person.
What would be the impact that might have on your relationships?
Still in love with your mobile phone? Try out my new favorite app called Calm. Calm helps you unlock your true potential on work and in life by giving yourself a rest during the day. Give it a go, and maybe you won’t need your mobile around to remind you, you are alive