As an entrepreneur or freelancer, there's no doubt that the idea of limiting your screen time is appealing. However, as an online business owner, finding ways to limit screen time may be easier said than done. Sure, you’d like to be healthier, but the truth is that you can’t afford to cut back. If you do, you may miss potential leads and breaking news. The more time you spend working on your business, the more profitable you'll be.
Despite being essential to your business, screen time can impact your ability to function normally. According to Cnet, flicking through Instagram leads to a dopamine spike that inhibits the body’s ability to sleep. Without sleep, you won’t be productive and your business will suffer. While it may seem counterproductive, cutting down on screen time can actually help your business run more efficiently.
It doesn't have to require a drastic change, either! Use these four tricks to limit how much time you spend staring at your screen each day.
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Remove Unnecessary Apps…
Statista, a global business data platform, points out that there are more phones than people. Crazy right? Many people juggle multiple devices, including a work and personal cell phone. While work phones are generally used for on-the-job purposes, that doesn't mean less screen time—especially when there're a personal cell phone involved.
Personal devices include applications that split your focus, such as social media apps and SMS capabilities. These platforms are the source of distraction for most people on a day to day basis. They tend to get in the way of the tasks that actually need to get done and boost the time you spend looking at your screen. One way to limit that screen time and improve productivity is to remove them from your phone altogether.
…and Notifications
With multiple apps come tons of notifications. Removing applications that have zero business purpose is a fantastic start, but it’s only the beginning. Sure, your devices probably grab your attention when the notification is business-related. Yet, not all messages are urgent. A short email confirming what you already know, for instance, can wait. Consider putting your device on “do not disturb” mode, or turn off unnecessary notifications entirely. Just be sure to check them periodically throughout the day!
Sync Platforms
The usual excuse for high screen time among entrepreneurs is that multiple devices have different uses. A WhatsApp message, for example, is great for interacting with your team, whereas an email is more professional and better for interacting with clients. Companies like TextBetter can streamline communication by merging both. With their software, you can sync platforms so that you can send and receive text messages via your email account. This means you can stop switching between devices and limit screen time in the process.
Download Blockers
If you can’t trust yourself, there are apps and software that block you from entering websites or servers for a pre-disposed length of time. SelfControlApp is popular because it lets you limit your access without any contingencies. Once you click start, it won’t grant you access until the timer hits zero. It may be an extreme measure, but it’s worth considering if screen time is negatively impacting your workload, which it does for thousands of entrepreneurs around the world.
Now that you know limiting your screen time is possible, will you try and wean yourself off your devices?
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