Notification nonsense
What changes when you stop being a slave to notifications?
What would change in your life if you focused on what truly matters instead of letting notifications rule your time?
Take a moment to reflect on this quote:
"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." —Hans Hofmann
Trigger Warning: You Have Notifications.
For many, WhatsApp notifications trigger anxiety. We rush to clear every message and those little green dots. But at what cost?
We get sucked into this idea that everyone needs an instant reply. That if we don’t respond immediately, we’ll miss something critical.
But honestly, that’s not true.
How many times have you looked back at a day and thought, "What did I even achieve today?" Chances are you got stuck in the quicksand of instant messaging, thinking, “I’ll just respond quickly” ... and 40 minutes later, you're still there.
The solution? We need to eliminate what’s unnecessary so that the necessary can shine.
Setting Boundaries:
One of the first steps is setting boundaries around your time. It’s learning to believe that your time is more important than that notification. That "instant messaging" doesn’t mean "instant reply."
Resist the urge to respond immediately. It may feel strange at first, but ignoring a message can become your superpower. One client says she mentally “puts it in a box for later.” This reduces anxiety.
Time Boxing Works:
Try scheduling time for communication just like you do for meetings. It’s a set window to respond and resolve messages, preventing them from lingering in the background.
For example, I scan my messages between meetings. I mentally triage: Is it my wife? Is it about my next client? If not, it waits until my designated communication time.
Key Takeaways:
1. Set Communication Boundaries: Scheduled messaging reduces stress and improves focus.
2. Prioritize: Not all notifications need immediate attention.
3. Respect Both Sides: Intentional communication shows respect for both you and others.
Simple solutions, but they work wonders when you implement them.
"Focus is a matter of deciding what things you're not going to do." —John Carmack.
Coach Colin at The Alternative Board
Coach | Facilitator | Change Agent