From Chaos to Calm: Making Your Phone Work for You
In today’s digital age, our phones have become extensions of ourselves. But are we using them in a way that maximizes our focus and well-being?
I was struggling with distractions by the amount of notifications coming my way.
I temporarily relied on the Do Not Disturb mode, but I realized I needed a more sustainable way to make my phone work for me when I came across this quote from James Clear’s Atomic Habits:
“One of the most practical ways to eliminate a bad habit is to reduce exposure to the cue that causes it.”
This resonated deeply as I needed to break free from the constant demand for my attention. So I started by asking myself:
- What notifications am I actually getting? (Most were non-essential).
- Do I need to know about this right now? (Almost never).
- What happens if I check later? (Usually, nothing).
This led to a bigger question:
How can I make my phone a tool for focus and intention, not distraction?
The answer: Intentional Personalization
So I did this 4 tiny personalization tweak for a calmer and more focused phone experience:
1. Declutter Your Apps: Less Is More
Simplify your home screen by keeping only your most frequently used apps easily accessible.
Everything else? You can put it in folders but it’s the same thing like the App Library, and the best thing is it automatically organizes apps by category.
A clean home screen equals a clearer mind.
2. Prioritize Notifications: Only the Essentials
Take control of your attention by customizing each app’s alert settings:
- Lock Screen (Urgent & Important Only): Reserve this space for notifications that require immediate attention (e.g., your Uber updates, primary inbox emails, calendar reminders).
- Notification Center (Important, But Not Urgent): Allow less time-sensitive notifications to live here until you have a moment to check them.
- Silence (Non-Essential Notifications): Turn off notifications for apps that don’t require your immediate attention (yes, even social media!).
The goal is to create a calmer, more focused phone experience by only being alerted to what truly matters in the moment.
3. Personalize for Efficiency: Your Phone as a Digital Workspace
Think of your phone layout like shortcuts:
- Reserve your dock for your most-used apps: It’s the place for the apps you use most, the ones you need to access instantly, no matter what screen you’re on. (Mine? Spotify. Can’t live a day without a good tune!)
- Use widgets for at-a-glance information: This way, you get to view key information instantly without opening the apps (e.g., weather, calendar, to-do lists).
- The “Thumb Zone”: Design your home screen for one-handed use! Keep your most-used apps within easy reach of your thumb — this makes a huge difference when you’re on the go and don’t want to strain your hand.
Bonus Tip: Make sure to experiment with different layouts to find what feels most intuitive for you.
4. Extra: Embrace the Dark Side (Mode)
It just makes it more comfortable to the eyes, and also it saves your battery life (by a tiny bit). Want to take it to another level? Try using dark solid background. It will keep your phone layout looking clean while still keeping it dim for all the benefits of dark mode.
Conclusion: It’s All About Finding a Balance
These small but mighty optimizations have made it easier to have my phone around.
The result? Fewer interruptions, more focused work, effortless navigation — and most importantly, more present moments with friends and family.
This approach isn’t about disconnecting from the world. It’s about reclaiming your attention and engaging with your phone on your terms — so it works for you, not against you.
If you’re worried of missing important notifications, especially messages, remember, for truly urgent matters, a good old-fashioned phone call is always best.
📣 I’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite tips for optimizing your phone experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
👀 Read my other digital and productivity hack on how I streamlined my newsletters for maximum productivity on LinkedIn.
