From Scroll to Skill: Turning Screen Time into a Productive Habit

Smartphones have now become an extension of ourself. They’re not just a tool for communication, but have become our identities. Initially designed to improve our lives . However, we are in a stage where phones are controlling us.

What has happened? We are constantly grazing through the blue screen, looking for contents to consume. Occasionally we use it to escape the reality we live in, which completely blurs the time spent. As per statistics, on overage a person spend 3-4 hours on their smartphone each day. Now, this may vary based on factors like:

  • Age
  • Lifestyle
  • Country

How screen time has increased?

The usage of smartphone has skyrocketed, and below are key trends that made this impact:

  • Social Media Dominance
  • E- Commerce
  • Mobile Gaming

The Truth

An average usage of 3-4 hours might not look like a big deal right. So, let’s asume 20 years of smartphone usage. Let’s see, if an average person uses 3 or 4 hours a day on a phone. How much time is he actualy spending?

Daily Usage (Hours)3.004.00
Total Hours in 20 years21,915.0029,220.00
Total Days in 20 years913.131,217.50
Total Months in 20 years30.0240.03
Total Years2.503.33

This is how it will effect you in the long run. I have taken the lowest numbers, but if your average screen time is higher, may be 5, 6 or even 7. The impact will e even more significant. So, much time lost while scrolling through the screens.

Know Your Phone, Know Yourself: Track Your Usage

Let’s try and find out how much time we spend on our smartphone.there are built in featureon the phone to check the usage. It will show you how you spend time, and on what you spend your time.

Check Phone usage in iOS:

Apple has a built in feature to check the usage:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Screen Time.
  3. View your daily and weekly usage, app time, and pick-up counts.

Check Phone usage in Android:

You can check the details in Digital Wellbeing:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
  3. Use features like Dashboard, App timers, and Wind Down to monitor your phone usage.

How to do digital detox?

Becoming aware of how we are using the phone is crucial. Our time is limited, so spending countless minutes staring at a blue screen is not good.

Let’s explore ways on how we can transform same screen time, into a catalyst for personal growth. How you can shift from random limitless scrolling to acquiring valuable skills.

Set Realistic Goals

First step to reach any destination, is to assign goals. Take out a paper, or digital apps to note down what you want. You can use apps like:

  1. Apple Notes
  2. Samsung Notes
  3. Notion
  4. Evernote
  5. Google Keep

These are basic apps, but use them. As the real strength begins when you set a fresh goal. Write down, how you want to see yourself, in the near future.

App Usage

Identify the apps that are time consuming. Find out if you are spending excessive houts on social media, movie apps, aimlesly browsing, etc. Once you have pinpointed the apps, You have two options:

  1. Delete – Remove the app completly.
  2. Limit – Set usage restrictions, by controlling screen time.
FeatureDelete the appLimit the usage
ActionRemoves the app completelyRestricts the amount of time spent
EffectivenessCompletely eliminates the temptationWillpower and discipline is needed
ReversibilityNeed to download the againCan be reversed adjusting the settings
All-or-Nothing ApproachClear and decisiveOngoing management is needed

Take a decision on what you want and make necessary changes that will only help you keep moving forward.

Discipline

Discipline is the key to success. While motivation is good to start, but discipline is what sustains it. Consistency is the key. Wake up everyday to and keep commited to your routine. There are numerous apps that can help you track your daily habits.

  1. Habitica
  2. Streaks
  3. HabitNow Daily Routine Planner
  4. Loop Habit Tracker
  5. Habitify: Daily Habit Tracker

Use these apps to keep a track of how you are completing your goals. When you have a clear visualization of what you are doing, it helps to keep going.

Find your passion

Once you have established daily habits, discovering your passion is crucial. You need to find your desires, passion and goal. Habit tracking apps can help you in creating a structure. But, they do not ignite a purpouse. You need to find your Why.

What ignites your inner core? Is it dreaming of mastering new skill, becoming fluent in another language, enhancing or transforming your physique, or build your own business? There are endless posibilities. Finding why you are doing a task, will act as an additional fuel to grow yourself.

How to find your passion is another big question.If you are confused about what you like, try finding what you want using Gen-AI.

Use AI to find your why

AI is a powerful tool created to enhance human capabilities. The future will likely be divided into those who use AI to improve their lives and those who choose not to. I would encourage people to explore AI models, to make your work and personal life easy.

ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot are powerfull tools which we should use to enhance our daily lives. Now, to uncover your passion, you can use the following prompt below.

I want to figure out what really drives me. Can you ask me one question at a time to help me understand myself better? I’d like to answer 10 questions total. After that, can you tell me what I might be passionate about based on my answers? Also, give me some ideas on what to do next.

Answer all the questions with honesty and look the magic by AI. You can modify the prompts as per your convinience.

Use the right apps

Once you know what you want to do, find apps that can propel you forward. Consistent use of these apps will keep you focused on your goal.

Writing

If you want to start writing, you need few apps in handy.

  1. Notes App: A quick note taking app, to note down your ideas.
  2. Reading Apps: Kindle, Play Books, Moon+Reader.
  3. Editing App: Grammarly to fix you grammar.

Mix and match different apps to find what suits you.

Fitness

If you are interested in fitness, the type of apps will vary depending on your goal.

Overall Fitness:

  1. Nike Training Club
  2. Centr
  3. Peloton

Running and Outdoor Activities:

  1. Nike Run Club
  2. MapMyRun
  3. Strava

Yoga and Mindfulness:

  1. Calm
  2. Yoga with Adriene

Strength Training:

  1. Seven
  2. JEFIT
  3. Fitbod

Make sure, to check your budget as well, as some of the app will have premium features.

Learning new language

The learning app also depends on your learning style, goal and budget. Beginners:

  1. Duolingo
  2. Memrise
  3. Drops

Comprehensive Learning

  1. Babbel
  2. Busuu

Speaking Practice

  1. Tabdem
  2. HelloTalk

Combine different apps that will complement your learning style. Also, watch regional movies, shows, read books of your targeted language.

Coding

Even though the mobile apps are convenient, but it is crucial to have a full-fledged screen with keyboard to gain a better coding experience. However, the apps will help you with quick learning.

  1. Mimo
  2. SoloLearn
  3. Encode
  4. CodeGym: Java programming

Countless apps exists to support your journey towards the goal. From learning new skills to enhancing relationships, these can be game-changers.

Always remember, small incremental steps, will lead you to grow and be the better version of yourself tomorrow.

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