Today, nearly everyone has a smartphone in their pocket or bag, including when they head to work. While these devices offer a substantial amount of convenience, making it easier to stay connected to what matters to you throughout the day, they can also serve as a serious distraction, harming your productivity.
In some cases, companies explicitly ban the use of personal smartphones during work hours, but many don’t take it that far. This means that the responsibility for managing your usage falls on your shoulders, and you need to make an effort to ensure your cell phone doesn’t impact your performance.
Whether are currently employed or are seeking new opportunities in the Willoughby jobs market, here’s what you need to know about how a cell phone can affect the quality of your work.
Wasted Time
Your smartphone is a doorway to a wealth of information, but not all of it is going to be work-related. Social media, news, email, text messaging, and many other apps can also serve as a simple form of entertainment, pulling your attention away from work and to activities you might find more enjoyable.
Allowing yourself to get lost in your cell phone instead of concentrating on your work tasks won’t just harm the quality of your work, it can also cause you to fall behind or miss deadlines. Instead of letting your smartphone suck you in, consider putting it away during business hours, making it easier to resist the urge.
If you do bring your smartphone out during breaks or lunches, make sure to set a timer to remind yourself when it is time to refocus on work-related tasks.
Distracting Notifications
Some are surprised to hear that, even if you don’t immediately check a notification, you can be distracted by the little ding or buzz you hear. In fact, error rates can increase just because you are aware of an alert, even if you don’t intend to check it immediately.
Luckily, this is an easy situation to remedy. Simply silence any non-work notifications during your workday, and only check your cell phone for personal messages or activity when you are officially on a break. If you need to be available for emergencies, see if your company will allow family members, schools, and similar people to contact you at your desk should something genuinely require your immediate attention.
Alternatively, you can set your phone to “Do Not Disturb” and set custom permissions for specific notifications, like an incoming call from your child’s school, to ensure that only those critical alerts make their way through.
Ultimately, cell phones offer a significant amount of convenience, but they can quickly become a source of distractions if not properly managed. But, if you follow the tips above, you can help lower the chances of your smartphone hurting your productivity, ensuring you are always at your best when work-related tasks require your attention.
Are You Ready for a New Job?
If you’re interested finding a new position in Willoughby, contact the experienced recruiters at Vector Technical Inc. You can also begin by exploring our open positions online by browsing our current vacant jobs, and submitting an application to get the process started today!
