My Grading Sundays have been getting less productive lately. It is partly (mostly?) due to my phone. I can’t seem to put it down. It’s such an odd sensation. I know it’s happening, but I can’t (won’t?) stop. It’s very frustrating. I’ve decided I need to do something about it.
If I didn’t need some of the basic functions of my phone, I would just leave it at home on Sundays. One possible way to do such a thing is to get an Apple watch that connects to the internet. I could do calls and texts, but the game and browsing apps would not be available. That would be kind of expensive though.
I considered getting a physical lock box for my phone. I may yet try that. But I decided instead to try a device called a Brick, which is kind of like a digital lock box.
You install the Brick app, then designate which apps on your phone are the most problematic, and put them on a list. Then you wave your phone over this device:
It’s like a physical/digital key that locks all the apps you put on the list. You can’t access them again until you wave your phone over the device again.
The idea is that you keep the device at home or in your car or in some other inconvenient/inaccessible place, so that you can’t unlock the timewaster apps, and you can focus on your work.
How did it go yesterday? Well, let’s just say I underestimated which apps I might waste time with. I had only locked four things. When I got home, I put a bunch more things on the list. Maybe I’ll give it a dry run during the week some time, and see if it’s any better.
That is absolutely fascinating! I didn’t even know that there was a thing that could do that. I’m impressed that you took the leap, and that is very inspiring. (I endlessly look at Reddit or Facebook reels when I’m home, and now I’m rethinking some things.)
Very proud of you, sir! Congratulations! That Sunday work should start to pick up soon…
BTW, I just finished 2021 Noble-Winner Maria Ressa’s book that emphasized the role Facebook and the Internet have been playing on the state of the world today. She really stressed putting down the phone and not succumbing to the mis- and disinformation that is rampant in the virtual world. I know it’s hard to scroll past suspicious posts, believe me. In general, I think “Put Down Your Phone” should be a mantra for most of us. (In my case, it’s the Chromebook I am using right now, though…)
I have a Brick too!! The first couple days of using it, I was constantly unbricking it to unlock apps that I need. I think when I set it up, I loved everything but then unchecked what I needed. I need to get to my password app, my vpn app, I need my Siriusxm app to have the radio, etc etc… it took a bit but I got it to where I need it.
Overall, I need to use the device more, like right now. Happy Monday everyone!