How Your Phone is Quietly Stealing Your Focus (and 3 Quick Fixes) by Wendy Cole

Wendy Cole recently wrote the following article that I am sure many of you can relate to:

Smart people are struggling with this. And it’s costing more than just time.

In a recent training session, a participant said something that really stuck with me:
I spend too much time on my phone. And it’s eroding my quality of life.”
Every head nodded. They felt it too. Maybe you do as well.

Your phone habits aren’t only stealing minutes from your day. They’re shaping your brain, your focus, your energy, and your mood. Phone use is filling up the space we need for mind-wandering. The very space where creativity brews and our brains get a chance to rest.

Our brains weren’t built for this level of constant stimulation. The endless scroll, TikTok, Reels, Shorts –– these flood your system with dopamine. Then it crashes. That rollercoaster leaves you scattered, unmotivated, and depleted.

And there’s the other layer we often miss. Fixating on small screens keeps your nervous system wired. A narrow visual focus signals your brain to stay alert, raising arousal and stress levels. We think we’re resting. Sure, we’re sedentary, but our brains remain wired.

All of this quietly erodes your ability to concentrate. And that’s a growing problem. Focus, deep thinking, and human insight are fast becoming the new currency for success.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Small tweaks can make a big difference.

Want to learn the 3 Quick Fixes?

Click here to read the rest of the article, which includes Wendy’s 3 quick fixes.

Subscribe to Wendy’s Newsletter

If you are interested in learning more from Wendy, please click here to subscribe to The 5 Minute Mentor Newsletter

Steuart Snooks