4 places for your phone
And how they impact your performance (Next →)
On the desk
Leaving your phone on your desk is the worst option. The University of Texas at Austin found that the mere presence of a smartphone—even face-down and powered off—reduces working memory and problem-solving ability. Just seeing your phone is enough to drain your cognitive capacity. (Next →)
In Your Pocket or Bag
Putting your phone in your pocket or bag offers a small improvement, but not much. You still feel its weight, hear notifications, and experience the mental pull of knowing it’s right there. The distraction is quieter—but still present. (Next →)
In the Phone Cubbie
Storing your phone in the Phone Cubbie is the sweet spot. It removes the phone from your line of sight, blocks screen light flare-ups, dampens vibrations, and breaks the automatic checking habit—without creating separation anxiety. It’s the easiest, most practical way to get real, science-backed focus. (Next →)
In Another Room
Putting your phone in a different room sounds ideal, but it often backfires. Some studies show that when people are completely separated from their phone, their anxiety increases, which can hurt performance just as much as having the phone too close. It’s a theoretically perfect solution that rarely works in real life.