Consulting Tip #03 + Book Updates

Hi there,

It’s been a busy start to the year! Finalizing the English edition of my enterprise architecture book has taken longer than expected, but I’m happy to share that it’s now off to peer review. You’d think translating would be straightforward, but condensing and refining ideas takes a surprising amount of effort. With the deadline looming in early March, the finish line is in sight. I’ll share more updates soon!

Now, let’s dive into this week’s topic: well-being and productivity in the digital age.
 

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💼 Consulting Tip #03: Take Control of Your Devices – Don’t Let Them Control You 💻📱

These days, it’s all too easy to let devices and notifications run your life. Every ping from your smartwatch or vibration from your phone interrupts your focus—often for something trivial, like a social media alert or a non-urgent email.

Sound familiar?

As a consultant (or anyone in knowledge work), constant interruptions hurt your focus, productivity, and even your sanity. The good news is, you can take back control. Here’s how:

1. Adjust Notifications:
   You don’t need to react to everything immediately. Recurring plings are also annoying to others around you at work and home. So, silence your phone and smartwatch during focus time and turn off unnecessary alerts, especially from social apps. Many devices (e.g., iOS’s Focus or Android’s Work Profiles) let you create custom notification profiles for different situations, like work hours. Some apps even allow notifications to batch at specific times (e.g., once an hour). Even if you’re not ready to keep your phone silent almost all the time like I do, reducing notifications can make a huge difference.

2. Schedule Time for Messages:
   Check emails and messages at set times during the day rather than reacting to every ping. For example, allocate 15 minutes 2–3 times daily for emails. This works for work-related social media too—use it only during specific time blocks.

3. Separate Work and Personal Phones:
   If possible, get a dedicated work phone. Turn it off during weekends and vacations. Use "Do Not Disturb" mode outside work hours to avoid accidental distractions, and keep social media apps off your work phone entirely.

4. Use Android Work Profiles:
   Android’s work profiles allow you to separate work apps and notifications from personal ones. Set the profile to turn off automatically after work hours or on weekends. Personally, I disable all notifications from work profile apps since I’m typically at my computer during work hours anyway.

5. Set Personal SLAs:
   Responding instantly to every message creates an expectation of constant availability. Set boundaries and prioritize your responses—not everything requires an immediate reply.

6. Identify Your Weak Spots:
   Review your app usage to see where your time goes. Is it social media, doomscrolling news, or something else? Use parental controls to set app limits (e.g., 15 minutes per day) and make overuse harder by adding friction, like requiring extra clicks to reopen a restricted app.

7. Start Your Day Without Devices:
   Resist the urge to check your phone first thing in the morning. Instead, start with a walk, jot down your priorities, or enjoy your morning coffee distraction-free.

8. Take Breaks Without Screens:
   Step away from devices during breaks. A short walk, coffee break, or even letting your mind wander can help recharge your brain.

9. Pay Attention to Nighttime Settings:
   Reduce eye strain in the evening by lowering screen brightness and using blue-light filters to create warmer tones. For instance, Android’s "Eye Comfort Shield" feature is perfect for this.

10. Introduce a Screen-Free Zone:
    Designate areas like the bedroom or dining table as device-free zones to encourage presence and reduce distractions.

11. Create a Digital Detox Routine:
    Plan regular device-free times, such as one evening a week or a full day on weekends.

12. Protect Your Free Time:
    Work should not spill into your personal life. Even if you use a combined work-personal phone, avoid checking emails or work apps after hours. If something is critical, someone will call you.

13. Find Healthy Alternatives:
    Instead of reaching for your phone out of boredom, try observing your surroundings, meditating, reading a book, or letting your mind wander. "Doing nothing" can be the best way to rest your brain. Remove your most tempting apps (e.g., social media) from your home screen to reduce the urge to open them impulsively.

💡 Why This Matters

I know resisting the pull of devices and notifications is tough—they’re designed to be addictive. Social apps tap into dopamine-driven reward systems, making them hard to ignore.

But when you take control, you’ll get more done, feel calmer, and ultimately improve your well-being.

👉 What’s your top tip for managing devices?

Comment or reply—I’d love to hear what works for you!

As always, thank you for reading and for being part of this community. Let’s make 2025 a year of focus, balance, and success – starting with mastering our devices.

Best regards,

Eetu Niemi

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