No Notifications

One of the first bold moves I took at work for my mental health was turning off all notifications.
 
This started on my office computer.
 
That noise--whenever I received an email or whenever I was reminded of a meeting starting shortly--became triggering, so triggering.
 
When I was in someone else's office and it dinged: shudder.
 
It's been years since I turned it off and I still shudder when I hear them--you know that moment: you're on a conference call or video call and someone isn't on mute and DING goes their email or calendar. My nightmare.
 
Not only mentally triggering: the constant interruption ruined my focus.
 
It prevented truly deep work.
 
Fast forward nearly 7 years, and now: I use ZERO notifications.
 
None on my computer.
 
None of my cell phone.
 
Other than actual phone calls on my office line, I never hear a notification and I never see that little red number telling me how many missed emails, calls, or texts are piling up.
 
I know what some of you are thinking, but:
 
😲 I've missed very, very few time-sensitive calls or emails (I can think of two, maybe).

😲 I've only been late to one meeting because of it.

Being responsive does NOT mean being always or immediately available.

People know how to find you if it is a real emergency.

You know who and what projects require immediate responses and availability.

You can be--and likely are--very good at your job and protect your mental health and your time.

You can be--and likely are--very good at your job without answering every phone call or email the second it arrives.

I encourage to take a step that feels right for you today--no matter how bold.

#lawyerwellbeing #work #technology #mentalhealth