Stealing Time at Work
Our cell phones are an ever-present part of our lives. They keep us connected to friends, family, and the world around us. But this constant connection comes at a cost, especially in the workplace. Many American adults find their workdays frequently interrupted and distracted by their cell phones. This habit can silently undermine their career success.
Think about your own workday. How often do you glance at your phone? A notification pops up, a quick check of social media, a text from a friend. Each of these small actions pulls your attention away from your tasks. Research from the University of California, Irvine, shows that it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to return to a task after an interruption. If you are constantly checking your phone, imagine how much productive time you lose. This lost time translates directly into unfinished work and missed opportunities for focused effort.
Signs that your phone use is an issue at work include missing deadlines, making errors you would not normally make, or feeling overwhelmed by your workload. You might also find yourself unable to concentrate on complex tasks, always feeling the urge to check your phone. When a worker dedicates too much time to their phone, their output suffers. Quality drops, and projects take longer to complete.
This behavior is also an expense to employers. They pay for a worker's time, expecting focused effort and valuable contributions. When a worker is distracted, the employer loses money on unproductive hours. This reduces overall team efficiency and can hinder company growth. Employers hire people to solve problems and create value. Constant phone distractions prevent employees from fulfilling these essential roles.
One study found that the average U.S. worker spends 3 hours a day on their phone at work for non-work related interactions.
From a spiritual perspective, giving our best effort at work is a Christian principle. Colossians 3:23 states, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." This verse reminds us that our work is a form of worship, and we should approach it with diligence and a spirit of dedication. When we allow our phones to take our focus away, we are not offering our best. We are compromising our commitment to both our employer and our faith. This is not about perfection, but about intention and effort. Giving our best means minimizing avoidable distractions and committing our time to our employer. To do otherwise means we are stealing from our employer.
To begin breaking this pattern, try these three immediate actions:
Silence Notifications: Turn off all non-essential notifications during work hours. This simple step reduces the urge to check your phone.
Designate Phone-Free Zones: Create specific times or tasks where your phone is out of sight or at least out of reach. For example, during a critical project or an important meeting, put your phone away.
Use a Physical Notebook: Instead of reaching for your phone to jot down a quick note or idea, keep a small notebook and pen handy. This keeps your focus on the task at hand.
Taking these steps can help you regain control over your attention and improve your career trajectory.
