This Productivity Hack is Cutting Off Human Connection

So often I've scrolled through posts and videos on "productivity hacks" that all sound more or less the same. Wake up early; put your phone on airplane mode; make a to-do list; and so on. The videos people make on how they're the most productive can certainly be helpful in applying it to your own life, but there is one hack I've been hearing and seeing that worries me when it comes to connecting to others.

When I run errands, I strangely (because I'm an introvert) enjoy the conversations I have with the cashier; bank clerk; saleswoman; etc., because I get a glimpse into who that person is outside of their work role. On the rare occasion I get my nails done, I enjoy talking with my beautician about her family, how her week's been, and we get to talking more and more about other topics, and it feels good to make those little connections. One cashier at my local drug store always asks how my little sisters are doing, and I ask her about her grandson who's about the same age. There's one pharmacist at the same drug store who knows my family well and always greets me with a smile, asking how my mom's doing. It's nice amidst our phone-obsessed culture of being glued to our screens to have these moments with people where we're face-to-face, bonding over late work schedules, family get-togethers, and excitement (and fear) of the upcoming holidays. But the productivity hack alluded to above would limit these interactions greatly, in my opinion.

This hack involves constantly consuming information to help keep your "productivity" on high. It involves putting in your AirPods, ear buds, headphones, whatever, and listening to podcasts on the go that have to do with topics that help you personally stay productive. If you're walking to get coffee, why not put in your earbuds and listen to a business podcast? While you're getting your nails done, why not put in your AirPods and listen to a podcast on relationships? While getting a facial, go ahead and listen to a podcast on ways to build your brand. But while we are listing to these podcasts trying to cram in as much information as possible, what does that do to our daily interactions with those around us?

Personally, I think it's more important to be present in what you're doing rather than trying to input information during every free moment you have. If I'm walking to get a coffee (or most likely a croissant), I want to be open and ready to receive a hello from a neighbor, or smile to a stranger walking by; because today, where I live, it has become less common to do so. I want to have memories of those moments with complete strangers, sharing a compliment over the sweater we love on the person in the elevator; bonding over how excited we are to see the horror movie we're in line waiting for; and asking about the beautician's family who immigrated from Vietnam decades ago for a better life. How many of those little moments are we missing when our faces are in our phones trying to be "productive" and learn the latest on money-saving tips—or listening to a podcast and zoning out instead of finding out about your beautician's immigration story? There is so much we can learn from those around us that is just as productive and informative—if not more so—than consuming "productive" content.

If you're in the midst of starting a business, blog, brand, book, or any sort of hobby and/or money-generating enterprise—it's understandable to want to know what to expect, how to do it, and the skills necessary to get that project going successfully. But, I think it's important to make specific time blocks to learn that information so you're zeroed in on absorbing those skill sets, rather than trying to listen to or read "productive" content during any and every free minute you have. If you're on a long commute to and from work, listening to a podcast on business and social media makes sense; you have time to kill, and might as well learn something. But if you're walking down the street to grab some breakfast on a free morning, why not be open to your surroundings and the hidden opportunities available? You could run into a neighbor and ask how each other is doing, and maybe end up having someone to walk to get breakfast with. Constant consumption of content is going to harm our human interactions, and already has begun to do so.

Whether or not you want to be productive with your content consumption, or just kill time while waiting for something or someone, I advocate for less phone usage while out and about if it's not necessary. I admit, I still struggle with this; it's so easy to pull out the device with all information available at our fingertips while waiting for a friend to arrive; but I can't tell you how freeing it is to keep your phone in your pocket, and just observe your surroundings, or peruse through a store next to you. Your need to consume information can be satiated by interacting with your surroundings; how nice will it be to look back on your past and be glad you stayed present, rather than scrolling through a screen?

I hope this post inspires you to stay more present, limit your phone usage, and use your time wisely. We could all use more discipline when it comes to using our phones, and I want all of us to have more memories of actual human interaction with those around us instead of "interacting" with others on a device. There is time to learn new ideas and concepts, and it doesn't have to be during every free minute of our day.

Put away your phone, and learn what it means to be alive.