Unveiling the Drawbacks of Mobile Work and Tips for Better Efficiency

Article by Abigail Chung

In our hyperconnected age, the device you carry in your pocket acts as a crucial link to the vast and ever-changing world. Long gone are the days when cell phones were just for calls. Now, your phone is akin to a mini-computer, enabling you to handle multiple activities that previously required a computer. 

Increased Mobile Usage for Work 

Since the birth of smartphones, mobile usage has been consistently rising. When it comes to the comparison of Internet usage mobile vs desktop, statistics from eMarketer reveal that from 51% in 2015, web traffic that came from mobile users rose to 58% in 2020.  

The mobile revolution has tech companies pivoting towards a mobile-first approach. Companies are creating powerful apps that allow users to complete complex tasks, like creating documents and editing graphics, all from their phones. This explosion of mobile productivity tools is rapidly transitioning our digital lives from desktops to the power of our smartphones. 

A closer inspection of mobile phone usage for work reveals that a substantial percentage of workers stated their day-to-day activities are largely dependent on their mobile devices. 

Here are some related statistical data:  

• 60% of employees use apps for work-related activity (Source: Digital Strategy Consulting) 

• 70% of employees have their phones within view at work (Source: Samsung/Oxford Economics) 

• 80% of IT executives stated that employees need mobile phones to perform their jobs effectively (Source: Samsung/Oxford Economics) 

• Nearly 90% of app users report that work-related apps have transformed their professional behaviour (Source: Digital Strategy Consulting) 

In the past, companies provided stationery items to workers as their primary work tools. Nowadays, with the rise in mobile usage, it might be more fitting for companies to provide phones to their workers instead of traditional paper and pens to boost productivity. 

Downside of Working with Mobiles 

Working on mobile phones comes with a price. While they offer unmatched convenience and portability, they can also lead to decreased productivity due to smaller screens and limited functionality compared to computers. And the threat to our ability to focus due to the number of interruptions via notifications etc. The unending flow of notifications on smartphones significantly undermines our focus. According to statistics, the typical American smartphone user gets nearly 50 notifications per day. This continuous overstimulation makes it increasingly challenging to sustain deep concentration and complete intricate tasks. 

However, we should note that using electronic devices including cell phones itself is not the problem; It is the impact they may bring to us when using them over-dependently and haphazardly. 

Short(er) Attention Span 

In 2015, shocking evidence came up regarding our attention span. A number of major publications like the Time Magazine quoted above reported that a human's attention span is only eight seconds long — one second shorter than the attention span of a goldfish.  

Mobile phones bombard us with a relentless stream of stimuli. Notifications act like digital sirens, pulling our focus away from tasks at hand. Studies reveal that even the presence of a phone, even if silent, can hinder cognitive performance. 

This aspect of mobile phones can severely impact how we work. When working on mobile phones, it's easy to get tempted by numerous distractions, causing our focus to shift quickly from work to other activities. The proximity of many intriguing options can severely disrupt concentration, potentially leading to a noticeable drop in efficiency. 

Lack of Details 

No matter how stunning the software and apps you are using on your phone, it has an inevitable problem: Much smaller screen size compared to a desktop. Browsing through lengthy documents, spreadsheets, or detailed designs on a mobile phone requires constant zooming and refocusing. This continuous visual adjustment increases the risk of overlooking crucial details or misinterpreting information. 

In addition, the smaller screen area often leads to the loss of crucial functionalities. Important tools such as formatting options, spell-checkers, and advanced editing features might be missing or considerably restricted on mobile apps. This absence of functionality can hinder our capacity to deliver polished, accurate work that requires thorough attention to detail. 

Lack of Deep Thinking 

The short attention span and lack of details caused by heavy usage of mobile phones lead to a lack of deep thinking. Mobile phones' very design to keep us informed at all times may be hindering our capacity for deep thinking. Deep thinking specifically requires a mental state characterized by sustained focus and concentration on complex ideas or problems. It's about going beyond surface-level understanding and delving into the intricacies of a subject. For genuine creativity and innovation, deep thinking is a must-have ingredient. 

In history, there are numerous cases where sustained thought and grappling with a problem for extended periods has led to extraordinary results. Consider the following examples: 

• The story of Archimedes and his "Eureka!" moment is a classic example of the power of prolonged focus. Struggling to solve a particular mathematical problem, Archimedes is said to have spent considerable time pondering the issue.  

• Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person to win a Nobel Prize twice, and the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields. Curie's groundbreaking discoveries in radioactivity were the culmination of years of meticulous research and experimentation with persistence. 

• Louis Pasteur's contributions to medicine, including the development of vaccines, stemmed from a series of meticulous experiments over many years.  

The common thread across these stories is the unwavering dedication and persistence of the individuals involved. They were willing to wrestle with a single problem for extended periods. Unfortunately, working on mobile phones with its constant scrolling and information overload makes it almost impossible - if not all - to achieve this kind of focused contemplation that has led to remarkable breakthroughs.  

Not Always Productive 

Productivity is a measure of how efficiently something gets done. It's about getting the most out of the resources available while maintaining a high quality of the final products. In other words, if something gets done in a way that takes double as much time, it is not productive at all.  

Relying on mobile phones for work isn't always the best option when it comes to productivity. For example, if you have to spend an hour trying to explain something to your coworker just because he/she hasn't read your previous email carefully, you will just end up wasting your time and energy. Such actions also demonstrate disrespect and can negatively impact teamwork. 

Wise Combination is Key 

When considering handiness, no laptop, regardless of how light it is, can match a cell phone. You can simply slip a cell phone into your pocket, making a bag unnecessary. 

Mobile phones can be a good tool for work with careful, proactive planning and strategy.  

• For work that needs your focus such as deep brainstorming, analyzing, critiquing, and designing, use desktops, not phones.  

• For work that needs attention to detail such as quality checking and designing, use desktops.  

• For tasks that are straightforward, like checking boxes and signing, and can be done quickly, phones are suitable. 

• When using a phone for work, snooze out all the notifications. If you have a separate work phone, it is advised not to download any apps that are not related to your work.  

• Do not forget the significance of face-to-face interactions in the workplace. Working entirely alone can prevent you from building relationships with colleagues and understanding their non-verbal cues. Even in a remote-heavy job, seek out opportunities to engage with your coworkers in a friendly and productive manner. 

• It's not about abandoning your smartphone for productivity; it's about using it wisely. Recognize the potential challenges and develop a proactive approach to optimize your workflow. 

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The Focus Code for a More Meaningful Life and Work

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