This week’s leadership challenge is going to be short and sweet. Some time ago I had been lamenting that every time my iPhone notified me of how much screen time I had in the past week, it was always much higher than I wanted it to be and often times the culprit was social media.
I would give myself a directive to cut down and then the next week the numbers would be similar. Looking for some technology to help me with this issue (ironically), I found the Screen Zen app. Right off the bat I want to say that they are not paying for me to advertise their product, I just started using it and I love it and now I’m letting you know.
Screen Zen is simple to use but there are a couple things that it does that really deter me from overusing social media and it does so before I even get into whatever social media I am trying to use.
1.) Greyed Out Apps on the Home Screen
Once I made a list of what apps I wanted to limit, Screen Zen automatically turns them a darker color than the rest of the apps on my screen. So when I’m ready to hit the button, I already feel like I’m doing something that I should be. Subtle but it works.
2.) It Asks Me a Simple Question
After I still decide to hit the darker colored app, a purple screen comes up and it asks me “Why am I checking? If I don’t have a legit answer to this question, I exit out before being tempted.
Underneath the question it lets me know how many times left I can check it for today. This is configurable so if you want to limit yourself to checking 3 times per day for 10 minutes each then you can do that.
Below that it gives me some motivation by telling me how many days in a row I have followed the rules that I have set up for myself. This helps to keep the streak alive.
3.) Delayed Opening
Even after I have answered the question and verified that I have enough checks left for the day if I still want to open the app, then I can hit the button to do so but it delays for 5 seconds. This allows me to re-lock the app if I so choose and saving my checks for later.
RELATED ARTICLE: Spend Time in Nature
4.) Timed Browsing
Once I am finally in the app, the clock starts for the amount of time I have configured each check to be. If it’s ten minutes than after the ten minutes is up the app automatically closes on me and one of my daily viewing times is used up. This really helps break the string of too much scrolling because I am bored.
How has it worked out?
My screen time is down considerably from before I started using Screen Zen. I have also found that I don’t find myself running to my phone as quickly when I am bored. If I make my phone boring than I being to start doing other things, like picking up a book, painting, or working out.
If this is something your are struggling with or simply want to manage your phone use better, than Screen Zen might be for you. Check it out!
This post contains affiliate links, for more info see our disclaimer.
Before you go…
Our community grows best by word of mouth. If there is someone you thought of while reading this, please share it with them and encourage them to become a part of our community.
Your support means everything to us to keep our subscriptions free! Please consider buying us a cup of coffee to keep us going! After all, there isn’t anything a good shot of caffeine can’t do. We couldn’t do what we do without your support and generosity. Thank you for making us stronger! We appreciate it!
