Context plays a major role in our daily lives—often without us consciously noticing it. A simple example: You walk past your favorite bakery, and since you always get delicious pastries there, you grab one every morning for the afternoon—even if you originally wanted to eat less sugar. Or the other way around: As soon as you step into the gym, your reluctance to exercise disappears because you associate this place with working out.
Similar principles apply in the digital world, even though there may not be a physical “place.” Your choice of hardware and software influences your behavior and focus. In this article, I’ll share some thoughts on using specific programs or devices for specific contexts, helping you to complete tasks more efficiently or consume digital content without letting it take over.
How Your Devices Shape Your Context
Every device or software you use automatically creates a certain context for your brain. When you open your work laptop, it usually puts you in a work mindset—unless you also use it for personal entertainment like watching cat videos. In that case, the intended use becomes blurred, and your brain struggles to store a fixed context.
If possible (and in most cases, extensive personal use is restricted by employers anyway), you should use your work devices strictly for work-related tasks. This not only prevents you from being tempted to use your employer’s licensed software for personal matters but also helps your brain conserve valuable mental capacity (“RAM”) for work when it’s actually time to focus.
For your personal time, I also recommend using a separate device—perhaps a tablet instead of a full laptop. This way, you’ll be less tempted to get lost in videos or social media during your “work time,” whether for your job or personal productivity tasks.
Creating Clear Contexts Through Your Physical Environment
If having separate devices isn’t an option due to budget constraints, you can still switch contexts by changing your environment. A simple trick is to designate different places for different activities, for example:
– Desk = Work area
– Sofa = Relaxation and entertainment
This way, you train your brain to associate certain tasks with specific locations. Over time, you’ll find it much easier to stay focused and avoid distractions.
Managing Your Smartphone: Set Conscious Rules
Smartphones present a unique challenge since they are constant companions and are used almost everywhere—even in bed or on the toilet. But this is exactly where setting firm rules can help:
- No phone in bed or on the toilet! Even if you use it as an alarm clock, place it outside your immediate reach in the bedroom.
- Designate a fixed place for your phone at home. This way, you’ll get used to using it intentionally instead of absentmindedly picking it up.
- Don’t always keep it within reach when you’re out. Instead of holding your phone in your hand all the time, keep it in your bag or backpack. If you really need it, take it out consciously—but the extra effort will help reduce mindless scrolling.
A highly effective trick is to leave your phone in a fixed spot while doing household chores or other tasks and instead listen to music or podcasts via Bluetooth headphones. This way, you remain reachable but reduce screen distractions.
A good compromise for when you’re on the go, walking, or exercising is a smartwatch with a SIM function. This allows you to stay connected and access maps or music services while making it more inconvenient to scroll through social media or constantly check emails. As a result, you can focus better on your surroundings and actual tasks.
Small Changes, Big Impact
These tips might feel radical at first—after all, many people are used to having their smartphones always within reach. However, by using digital devices more intentionally and creating clear contexts for their use, you can free up mental capacity (“RAM”) and significantly improve your quality of life. You could even try leaving your phone at home for certain errands or at least making it harder to access by keeping it in your backpack. This prevents you from instinctively reaching for it all the time.
Give it a try and see which strategies work best for you!
Checklist
- Pay attention to how digital context influences your behavior.
- Assign each device a clear purpose to avoid distractions.
- Separate work and personal time by using different devices or dedicated locations.
- Set firm rules for smartphone use, such as no phone in bed or on the toilet.
- Leave your phone at home more often and consider using a smartwatch for connectivity while on the go.