Mindful Communication: Overcoming WhatsApp Group Distractions
Hezron Ochiel, MPRSK
Strategic Communications Expert & Storyteller | Always here to help individuals and companies build impactful, growth-driven brands.
The Rise of WhatsApp Groups
WhatsApp groups have quickly become an important part of modern life, infiltrating every corner of our daily routines.
From workplaces to homes, schools to spiritual places, you can't escape the surge of group chats.
You start a small discussion and the next thing; let’s form a group.
Before long, you find yourself juggling messages from numerous active groups, each demanding your attention.
In this guide, I discuss the challenges of using the WhatsApp messaging app and provide recommendations to help protect users on this platform.
The Hidden Costs of Instant Communication
While social media, particularly WhatsApp, has revolutionized how we communicate and do business, it has also introduced a new set of problems.
Feedback was a waiting game in the past, but now, communication is instantaneous. This constant connectivity can lead to a barrage of messages, interrupting your focus and eroding your ability to focus on 'meaningful' work.
Over time, the inability to maintain concentration contributes to mental fatigue, stress, and even burnout.
According to my estimates, an active WhatsApp user with multiple contacts spends 1 to 3 hours or more each day, responding to messages, engaging in conversations, participating in group discussions, and sharing content.
Brother Ocholla's Lesson
Who can forget Brother Ocholla's infamous incident? In 2015, a member of the Embakasi Prayer Cell WhatsApp group in Kenya mistakenly sent a romantic message meant for his girlfriend to the entire group. His quick "Wrong message, sorry" became a classic example of how easily one can be overwhelmed by constant messaging.
Brother Ocholla's incident reminds us that we are all susceptible to errors when juggling multiple chats.
Learning from his story, coupled with my experiences, managing multiple WhatsApp chats, here are my strategies and recommendations for users, admins, employers, and developers to make the platform healthier for everyone.