In this insightful talk, Ståle Hansen from CloudWay shares his strategies for managing notifications and achieving a peaceful work-life balance. Discover how to take control of your digital life and ensure that your weekends are truly restful. Whether you’re heading to the cabin with your family or spending time with friends, Ståle’s tips will help you stay sane and focused.
1. Turn off unnecessary notifications: Learn how to disable notifications for chat messages and activity emails to reduce distractions.
2. Set quiet hours: Implement quiet hours in the Teams mobile app to avoid interruptions during personal time.
3. Communicate effectively: Inform your team about alternative ways to reach you, such as SMS or Signal, for urgent matters.
4. Use a smartwatch: Utilize a smartwatch to filter important notifications and stay connected without being overwhelmed.
5. Prioritize your mental health: Understand the importance of disconnecting from work and enjoying your weekends without the stress of constant notifications.
Read full transcript
Staying Focused in a World Built for Distraction
Introduction: Living With Distraction
(00:00:00 – 00:01:22)
I have a problem—and that problem is that I’m easily distracted.
I want to talk about that, and how I cope with it, because I want to share some tips with you.
I have three examples I want to walk through.
I’ve been part of Teamsdagen for quite some time.
Ville and I also had a recorded session where we talked about Viva Insights, Copilot, and more.
Who even talks about Skype for Business anymore?
A Long History of Talking About Focus
(00:01:22 – 00:02:59)
It turns out there are still a few people who do.
This technique hasn’t changed, even though many other things have.
The sock puppet still exists—but now it’s called Dopamine.
Meet the Dopamine Addict
(00:02:59 – 00:04:46)
Every time I try to do something difficult, the dopamine addict creeps in.
“Shouldn’t you check your phone?”
That happens every five minutes.
To cope, I use very specific techniques.
The Infinite Scroll Problem
(00:04:46 – 00:07:25)
This is my phone.
Instagram. Books. LEGO. Auctions. Etsy. eBay.
And of course… YouTube.
This is my challenge.
Phone Focus: Blocking the Noise
(00:07:25 – 00:10:15)
I use Focus on iPhone and Digital Wellbeing on Android.
I block notifications from everything except what I allow.
Unread badges are incredibly distracting.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Blocking Apps When Willpower Isn’t Enough
(00:10:15 – 00:11:35)
I use an app called Opal to block apps entirely.
Knowing there’s nothing important waiting helps me focus.
PC Focus: Windows Focus Sessions
(00:11:35 – 00:12:57)
I use Focus Sessions in Windows 11.
Notifications stop. Teams goes into Do Not Disturb.
Priming Focus With Music
(00:12:57 – 00:14:21)
I use the same instrumental playlist every time.
It primes my brain for focus.
Measuring Focus With Viva Insights
(00:14:21 – 00:17:00)
I measure focus time using Viva Insights.
You can even analyze this in Power BI.
Closing: Taking Back Control
(00:24:51 – End)
I hope I’ve shown you a few techniques to stay sane.
I’m trying. I’m not sure I’m succeeding.
Thank you.