Phone in Another Room
out of reach beats out of sight
If you only change one thing about how you focus, make it this: put your phone in another room. Not face-down on the desk, not in your pocket — physically away. It’s the least glamorous focus tip and one of the most effective.
Why it works
Research on the “mere presence” of smartphones suggests that just having your phone visible — even switched off, even face-down — quietly consumes attention, because part of your brain stays on alert for it. That background monitoring leaves less mental bandwidth for the task in front of you. Distance removes the pull in a way that willpower can’t.
Who popularised it
The idea was sharpened by “brain drain” research from the University of Texas at Austin, and championed by writers like Cal Newport in Deep Work, who argues that protecting attention requires removing temptation, not resisting it.
When to use it
- Whenever you sit down for focused work.
- During meals or conversations you want to be present for.
- In the first and last hour of your day.
Related
Curious about the supplement side? Read nootropics for focus, browse all our focus & attention guides, or put this into practice in the Squiggle app.
This guide is general education, not medical advice. For anything specific to your health, talk to a qualified healthcare professional.