“My life has become a major distraction from my cell phone” Anonymous

I love the many benefits of technology. What I do not love is the attention span deficit. We have become too comfortable multitasking on our smart phones while engaging with others.

What’s this behavior called? Phubbing, using your smart phone to snub someone.

You can read all about phubbing in “Too Much of a Good Thing: Are You Addicted To Your Smart Phone?” by Dr. James A. Roberts. (Full disclosure: I read the book on my smart phone ?)

Dr. Roberts’ phubbing highlights:
1. Why are we so comfortable phubbing?  We are dedicated to distraction:
Checking our cell phone 150 times per day
Checking email 30 times per hour
Switching between phone, laptop and other tech devices 21 times per hour
2. Are you a frequent phubber?  Try the nine point quiz in chapter 4 to find out.
3. Are you dating your cell phone?  You’re taking your cell phone to bed and checking it first thing in the morning. This may be your most intimate relationship. Think Joaquin Phoenix in the movie “Her.”
4. Is your cell phone always in sight?  The mere appearance of a cell phone reduces engagement. That’s right, you do not even have to use your cell phone to tick someone off. Just make it visible.

When your audience is phubbing you, they are not present and engaged. Your message is either distorted or completely forgotten.

So what do you do? Try these techniques to reduce phubbing:

1. Request Attention – Call it out at the beginning. Whether its an individual conversation or large meeting, politely request everyone mute their technology. You have created a two minute window to make your message stick.
2. Create a Detox Box – Recommended by the organization Talk More Tech Less (www.talkmoretechless.com), create a box for your smart phone. To detach from your phone for dedicated time and activities, put it in this dedicated detox box.
3. Play The Phone Stack – When out to dinner, have your group play The Phone Stack. Everyone puts their phone in a stack after ordering. As those phones buzz and beep, no one is allowed to grab their device. If someone grabs their phone before the end of the meal, they have to pick up the check.
4. Use Smart Phone Apps – Ironic, I realize, using an app to curb smart phone use. Apps like Moment, Forest, and Checky provide you tools to disengage with your phone and engage with the world.

You cannot amputate the fifth limb that is the smart phone. Do your best to create smart phone restraint. You will make a better connection with people.