31 Comments
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Moon Arica's avatar

Very sharp insights Joydeep. A serious wake-up call for anyone who wants to get serious about achieving their goals.

Joydeep Biswas's avatar

Thank you, Moon. It's time we get serious about our goals. And almost everyone is distracted. So reducing our phone addiction is a great way to get ahead in the game. Simple, but not easy.

Moon Arica's avatar

It's very true, I have to confess to a phone addiction, I drop it for a while, but then the temptation gets too much at times, so it's a continuous battle for me.

Joydeep Biswas's avatar

The last week of 2024, when I used to switch off my phone in the morning, my hand automatically went to the phone. It is a constant battle. The biggest addiction of our time.

Moon Arica's avatar

I know, the habit is so deep-seated in us that the phone feels like an extension of us.

Maurice Clive Bisby's avatar

Telling oneself that scrolling is B O R I N G B O R I N G B O R I N G will bring you back on the path to fulfilling your intent. Make a mental picture of how you are laughing now at B O R I N G B O R I N G B O R I N G ... Hold that picture in the Giggles file in your YES Folder..... Mark it READ NOW and prop it in front of the Coffee Jars......

Joydeep Biswas's avatar

Interesting way of looking at the act of scrolling. Scrolling is boring! Gotta fit that into my mind.

You know, this reminds me of a video. It tells us to imagine a movie where the protagonist of the movie is scrolling of his phone all the time. How boring would that be? Similarly, you're the hero of your story and you need to get out into the world, live a life, and dive into advertures.

Moon Arica's avatar

That sounds like another great post to write about.

Joydeep Biswas's avatar

Okay. Tomorrow. Done.

Moon Arica's avatar

Excellent tip Maurice, you have the most ingenious ideas!

Mark's avatar

This hits like walking into a lamppost whilst scrolling on your phone. Your words cut through the excuses and hit straight to the core. Time to stop scrolling and start doing. Thanks for the wake-up call, Joydeep!

Joydeep Biswas's avatar

You're welcome, Mark. Everyone needs such wake-up calls from time to time.

Honestly, I wasn't sure if anyone would like it. Thank you for the comment. I write more such honest pieces.

Mark's avatar

Keep them coming, I love the honest and authentic posts from people living "real" lives. You know not the rockstars who don't make mistakes!

Joydeep Biswas's avatar

Well, if each mistake formed a hill, I'd be on the Mt. Everest.

Mark's avatar

Stood on top of your mountain of mistakes, with the knowledge of all you have learned looking down upon the rest of the world, knowing you're now armed and ready to help.

Joydeep Biswas's avatar

But don't let ego take over. Because there are bigger mountains around us and we've a lot to learn.

Mark's avatar

Absolutely, Joydeep! We need to keep ego in check, but if our mountain is high enough, the mistakes made to get us there should ensure that it is. Recognising there are always bigger peaks around us keeps us grounded and curious. The view from the top might be incredible, but it's the climb, and the humility to keep learning, that really shapes us.

Maurice Clive Bisby's avatar

Yes, do us all that valuable service !

Joydeep Biswas's avatar

I will, Maurice. I will.

Allison Riney's avatar

I put my phone away in locked drawers and it feels so good!

Joydeep Biswas's avatar

I know. That's what freedom looks like. Time available in a day, your focus, and your productivity increase.

Allison Riney's avatar

Some of the best moments of the day - I’m so glad you recognize the meaning of freedom this way.

Tuhin Patra's avatar

A timely reminder, Joydeep. I am trying 2 things to keep my screen time in check:

1. Not checking my ohone without a clear intention. So, even if I have to scroll, I tell myself that I'll scroll before I unlock the phone.

2. Keeping the internet off always. No notifications. Switch it on only when I intentionally want to check if I have any messages. Anyone who genuinely wants to contact me has my number.

Felt hard at first, but has become a habit now. In fact, just as I was writing this, I realized I don't have my phone near me :P

Joydeep Biswas's avatar

Thank you, Tuhin.

1. I'll start telling myself what I'll scroll before I unlock the phone. I need to try this trick. Because sometimes, I want to look up the meaning of a word but end up spending 10-15 minutes on my phone.

2. It's a little better now because I experimented switching off my phone in the first half of the day. And I support the 'anyone who wants to talk has my number' philosophy. We need not reply to every message and notification instantly.

And if your phone isn't near you all the time, you've conquered a great war of our time.

Maurice Clive Bisby's avatar

I have found the perfect solution to mindless scrolling. My bladder wakes me at 6, I turn on the boiler, go back to bed and scroll my newsfeed and priority mail a/c, then doze until the alarm goes of at 6:45. Any other scrolling is strictly Substack related. Serious intent has, over recent months, developed into serious practice....

Joydeep Biswas's avatar

If I may, Maurice. You’re filling up your mind with other people’s ideas in the morning. You aren’t allowing your own ideas to flourish. Even though it’s Substack but scrolling first thing in the morning is bad in my opinion. However, I don’t know what you do, what your responsibilities are, and how your mind functions. So, if it’s the last option and works for you, then it’s fine.

Maurice Clive Bisby's avatar

Nah, never the LAST option Joydeep... it's for a glimpse at world news, family messages, and freeing up the rest of the day. It works really well for me. I thank you, friend for your sincere concerns 😟 Maurice

Joydeep Biswas's avatar

You're welcome, Maurice. Have a great weekend ahead.

Maurice Clive Bisby's avatar

Thankyou Moon ! Y'see ... I ain't just good lookin' !!