Inbox and socials rule your day? Here's how to take back control today!

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." - Dr Theodor Seuss Geisel

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Hi there,

How was your last week?

I attended my first-ever TEDx event in Nicosia! After eight years of obsessively watching TED Talks, I finally experienced one live. A herbalist, a mural artist, a Nobel laureate in economics, and more! Absolutely loved it!

Now, let me ask - do your inbox and socials rule your day?

Let me share a quick story.?

Earlier this year, I ran a workshop for a team of 10 HR leaders from a global corporation.

One key focus was helping them get a grip on their overflowing inboxes, which had become a major distraction from true value work.

"How many of you have email notifications on?" I asked.

Nine out of ten raised their hand.

At the end of the workshop, one participant shared this feedback, "Your tip was too simple."

Why am I sharing this?

Because if you're not open to trying simple solutions, how will you ever manage the more complex ones??

the why

Here's the catch - apps use?simple tricks?to hook you in.

A quick notification pops up, and - boom! Dopamine gets released, making you more likely to engage.?

These notifications aren't just a mild distraction; they're real time thieves.

The more you keep them on, the deeper the addiction grows.

Here's the thing - we're all human, and we're all wired with certain biases. That's why it's so easy for apps to trick us.

But the real irony? We spend time learning about algorithms, but those same algorithms are busy studying how we think.

So when you find yourself believing that complicated, costly solutions will fix your problem, pause and ask yourself - could you be falling into the same complexity bias as that HR leader in my workshop??

Complexity isn't always better. Once you understand how your brain works, you'll realize how simple strategies can give you back your time.

the how

Start small. Turning off notifications is a simple solution that can help you:

1/ Stop letting social media from ruling your day

I'm on LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram, but all notifications are turned off.

Social media isn't going anywhere. You'll get to it when you're ready.

Want to take it further? Here's a trick I learned two years ago: I turned off my YouTube watch history.

Now, I only see recommendations from channels I'm subscribed to.

Here's the screenshot of what I see when I open the YouTube app on my phone. Talk about cutting out the noise!

2/ Break the cycle of constant email overload

I've had my email notifications (both work and personal) turned off since 2014.

Instead, I block out 2-3 time slots each day just for emails.

Worried about missing urgent emails? Ask yourself this, "If my house was on fire ??, would I email the firefighters?" ??

What's truly urgent will find its way to you.

Still skeptical? Check out?Sharonne's ?experience.

result

By protecting your focus time, you'll stop wasting up to 3 hours a day on distractions and the mental strain of refocusing afterward.?

Plus, you'll save time, effort, and even money on overly complex solutions you may never actually use.?

When you commit to simple solutions,?that's when the magic happens.

your play of the week

Turn off notifications ???

Dare to try this for just one week:

• Turn off social media notifications.
• Turn off all work and personal email notifications.

If it doesn't make a difference, you can always turn them back on.

(Disclaimer: My WhatsApp notifications are still on, because that's how I stay connected with family and friends.)

If you found this edition helpful,?forward it to a friend or a colleague?who could use a break from bad busy work. And grab The Good Busy Playbooks with my 5-minute video guides.

Thank you for reading?????

Enjoy getting good busy!

See you next Monday,

Kate

P.S. Running out of time for what matters to you at & after work??

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