Believe it or not, but your smartphone can help you on your way to living your purpose if you use a few of the standard functions.
1. Use the calendar on your phone to block off time to do what you love, to meditate, do yoga, run, write, paint or draw, craft, and to work on getting closer to your purpose.
2. Use the timer function on your phone to limit the time you use for boring tasks. If housework is taking over your life, set the timer for 15 minutes, start doing what you have to do, and when it rings, you stop! Yes, I said stop! If you do the housework in 15 minute portions here and there, it’ll feel a lot better than if you let it take over your entire day or evening and drain you of every ounce of energy you have for other things.
3. If you’re a creative person, use the phone to take notes when inspiration hits you upside the head, don’t leave it and think that you’ll remember until you have time to paint, write or whatever it is you do. Write it down immediately, so you don’t lose it. Then you can revisit your notes when you have time to act on the inspiration.
4. Listen to inspirational and/or educational audio files when driving, exercising, or when doing those boring chores. That way you get to listen to all the stuff that otherwise might just “collect dust” on your hard drive.
5. Stay in touch with your tribe. The people who support you and cheer you on. A phone was after all made for communication. Whether this is via phone calls, text messages or social media, staying in touch is a great way to refuel and stay on top.
Love these ideas, Linda. I use my calendar and timer a lot to stay focused but I hadn’t thought to set it for appointments with things just for me. 🙂
Thanks 🙂 I use my calendar a lot, but I could get better at sticking to what it says, and at using the timer for boring stuff.
Linda- great ideas- I often read books or listen to audios from my phone, too:) Sheri
Thanks 🙂 I do too. I have tons of downloaded webinars and call that I need to get through. Audio books is not really my thing, they read too slow for my taste.
I love the 15-minutes housework approach, that’s actually what I’m doing right now to get on top of my rather neglected housework. As the FlyLady says, “You can do everything for 15 minutes!” And it’s true – the only exception to this I’ve ever (ever!) found was cleaning my budgies’ aviary. I can’t just leave it standing in the middle of the room, with the budgies scared, no bedding on the floor, and nothing finished 🙂 But that’s the only thing.
I actually borrowed that one from the FlyLady 🙂 When it comes to pets and kids, the tasks need to be finished. The 15 minutes is probably more for dusting, vacuuming etc.
I use the calendar on my Android device A LOT! And the email function, as needed when away from home. Also like the note taking ability; I have notes of thoughts, project steps, and location/prices for stuff I spot that I know I will need to get at some point for future projects; that save LOTS of time because sometimes months elapse between the initial “Oh, THAT’s where they sell…” and I actually need it for the task at hand.
I do not use it to stream music or videos though. I have never gotten into videos that much, of any sort. Would rather read about stuff and take a quick peek at a “how to” if I really get stumped. And I’m just old enough, I guess, that the thoughts, contemplation and internal dialogue is enough for me; I don’t need or enjoy having a sound track for my life, beyond the sounds around me… and some of them ( muzak in the store where I work part time) I wish I could mute! LOL
I DO have an app that shows me the phases and percentage illuminated of the moon, which I find especially useful for keeping me synced into the cycles, especially during long overcast spells like we have been having.
I don’t stream either, but I transfer audios from my computer to my phone to listen to them. Otherwise they don’t get listned to. I wish I could mute that muzak too. Fortunately we only get it at Christmas here. I have The Moon App by Penduko Software, although I normally just look out the window. I live in a rural area, so we get the most amazing star display. It’s good to have for the overcast days though, and for summer, when the Moon isn’t as easy to see.