In my professional opinion, one of the most impactful things you can do to take back a little time every day for yourself is to turn off or limit the notifications on your phone. This may not sound like financial advice, but it is. The more clearly you think and the calmer you are as an individual, the better decisions you can make for yourself, including those related to your finances. Personally, I have mine turned off most of the time, and it’s been the best decision I’ve made all year. I know there are some readers who will have issues with this; what about your kids, what if they need you? Some will say, “I want to know what’s going on in the news,” or “I need my Twitter.” Then there are those “on sale” notifications for items that you have been wanting. What if you miss that sale? Of the three scenarios listed, the only one that really matters is that your family has access to you. You probably don’t need whatever is on sale and catching up on news is better suited for the evening, when reporting will be the most accurate. The 24 hours new cycle is what destroyed real news, the headlines can wait.
What some people do not realize is that your brain has been trained to dump a little dopamine every time you get that “ding” or that “bzzz” “bzzz” on silent mode. Dopamine is a drug, it is naturally occurring in our bodies but the dopamine production in our bodies of today is far vaster and unnaturally occurring. It is a real thing and it is causing some major problems for people who cannot get a grasp on it. Lack of sleep, attention deficit disorders, impulse control, aggression, and addiction issues can all stem from excess and unnecessary dopamine dumps. Every one of the apps on your phone that you get notifications from is competing with your natural self, for your attention.
Your phone is not your friend, it is a device that allows ways for you to simplify your life. Calling and texting is easy. Having an easily accessible calendar can certainly help keep you on task. Good maps or directions apps are total life savers and even though I can still read an Atlas, I no longer need one. Life can be made easier with the technology that we have available to us. Understanding how that technology is affecting our bodies is paramount to keeping yourself in harmony, staying healthy, and remaining able to make well thought out, informed decisions.
Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Marzano Capital Group is an other business name of Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC. All investment advice is offered through Independent Advisor Alliance LLC, a registered investment advisor. Independent Advisor Alliance is a separate entity from LPL Financial.