How to Maintain Focus Despite Your Phone Screaming for Attention

When your mobile phone vibrates, does your brain scream at you to pick it up and look? I met a man who solved this problem.

Screaming Brain

Let’s say your mobile phone is lying next to you on the table. It’s upside down so you can’t see the screen. If your phone rings, what happens in your body and brain? If you’re simultaneously talking to a friend sitting opposite you, can you continue the conversation without turning the phone over to see what it is? Could it be that your brain is screaming, “pick up the phone!” and you can’t concentrate on anything else because your phone currently holds a notification that you just have to look at?

I’ve always had a screaming brain. As soon as my phone rings, I just have to pick it up, look at the notification, and then do what I’m prompted to do. If I receive a text message, I reply. If I’ve received a message from the bank, I quickly log in and read it. Any friends around the table have to wait. The phone has kidnapped the brain and been a dictator over behavior.

Losing Energy

There’s nothing wrong with picking up your phone and looking at the notification. After all, it could be something very important. Maybe your child needs help? Maybe you need to be updated on work…