Smartphones and Addiction Pt. 2

I’ve appreciated my reader’s responses to our recent topic on Smartphones and Addiction which seemed to have struck a chord with many. Our consistent attachment to our smart phones can take on characteristics of an addiction. Last week’s tip looked at the work of Baylor Professor and consumer behavior expert, Dr. James Roberts, as he reminded us of some of the common attributes of addiction.

This week, I’m sending you his actual quiz to score your own behavior. Check the statements that are true for you:

• Upon waking in the morning, the first thing I reach for is my smartphone.
• I sleep with my smartphone next to me.
• I often use my smartphone when I am bored.
• I have pretended a need to take a call or respond to a text to avoid awkward social situations.
• I am spending increasing amounts of time on my smartphone.
• I spend time on my smartphone at the expense of other activities.
• I become nervous or irritable when my smartphone is out of sight.
• I have gone into a panic when I thought I lost my smartphone.
• I have argued with my spouse, friends or family about my smartphone use.
• I use my smartphone while driving my car.
• I have tried to curb my smartphone use but the effort didn’t last very long.
• I want to reduce my smartphone use but I’m afraid I can’t do it.

Calculate Your Score: Simply add the number of statements you agree with and check your results.

8+ = Make a reservation at the closest clinic for habitual smartphone users!

5 – 7 = You have crossed the tipping point and are moving quickly to full-blown cell phone addiction. Intervention is needed.

3 – 4 = You have not yet reached a tipping point but would benefit from carefully assessing how your phone is impacting your life.

0 – 2 = You either have excellent self-restraint or technology simply scares you.

Last week I saw a sight I could hardly believe…Imagine this…a woman, riding a cruiser bicycle along a narrow sidewalk and into oncoming traffic, with flip-flops on her feet and no helmet on her head, she had one hand on the handle bars and one on her phone and she continued to scroll and read.

Oh. My. Goodness. Please don’t do this. But, given that smartphones are, in some form, likely here to stay, ask yourself these questions: What role do I want my smartphone to have in my life? How and when will I use it so that it plays that role well?

I’d love to hear of specific actions you take to manage or limit your phone time and then share them with my readers, so everyone benefits. The main goal is to make sure we are setting aside time to unplug and plug into what really matters: friends, family and being in the moment.

As always, I welcome your comments and feedback.

Also, if you’re interested in learning tips on how to reduce bad habits while also learning more about who you are, what you are about, and what you bring to the table, contact me about one-on-one coaching today.

Gigi