3 minute read

Stop checking your phone between activities and tasks. You’ll be calmer and more productive.

WHY IT MATTERS: Liminal moments — the short transitional periods of time between one task ending and the next beginning — can easily turn into distractions that derail your productivity. By understanding and managing these moments, you’ll make better use of your time and stay focused on your goals.

COMMON MISTAKES: Most people use the short gaps of time in between meetings or when waiting for a Slack response as an opportunity to ‘catch up’ on things they may have missed. It’s often done habitually and its impact underestimated. Misuse of liminal moments leads to:

• Constantly being late. You had five minutes between meetings but the Slack convo you chimed in on now has you three minutes late.
• Being unprepared. Instead of allowing your mind to transition naturally from one task or activity to the next, you fill it with new, unrelated information (in the form of social media or email).
• Inability to focus. Liminal moments are spent rapidly scrolling and swiping, which decimates your attention span over time.
• Discomfort with being bored. Doing ‘nothing’ — waiting in a doctor’s office or standing still in an elevator — becomes a source of anxiety.
• Lack of awareness. You’re on attentional autopilot rather than being intentional with your attention.

THE BENEFITS: Mastering liminal moments leads to greater intentionality and efficiency in your daily life. It helps you:

• Increase focus and productivity.
• Reduce time wasted on distractions.
• Improve ability to stay present and mindful.
• Be comfortable being you.
• Better prepare for meetings and tasks.

HOW TO DO IT:

1. Become aware of your liminal moments. Awareness is the first step to change. Notice when you reach for your phone at a stoplight or while waiting for a program to load.
2. Be mindful. Staying present reduces the urge to seek distractions. Use waiting times to take a few deep breaths or observe your surroundings. Enjoy what you’re doing, right now (because right now is all you really have).
3. Set Intentional Breaks. Planned breaks are more beneficial than random distractions. Schedule short breaks between tasks where you can relax without turning to your phone or social media.
4. Create New Habits. Replace old habits with new, productive ones to transform how you handle liminal moments. Instead of checking your phone, use this time for quick stretching, a brief walk, or organizing your workspace.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

• Be patient as you adjust to these new practices. It takes time to break old habits and form new ones.
• Beware of falling back into old patterns, especially during stressful times.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Mastering liminal moments can significantly enhance your attention and productivity. By becoming aware of these transitions, practicing mindfulness, setting intentional breaks, and creating new habits, you can make better use of your time and stay focused on what matters most.