Chapter 1: The Power of Voice Assistants

In my initial article on Medium, I shared a productivity tip advocating for leaving your phone behind during bathroom breaks to reduce distractions.

However, being someone who values self-improvement, I sought additional strategies to manage my phone usage. I didn't aim to eliminate my device or social media; instead, I wanted to optimize how my phone serves me. Thus, I began utilizing my voice assistant more effectively.

Here's a simple experiment to try:

• Rearrange the applications on your phone.

You can delete unused apps, group them into different folders, or organize them by color instead of function. You'll likely find yourself instinctively reaching for the spots where those apps used to be over the next few days. After I removed Facebook from my phone, I still instinctively swiped to where its icon had been for nearly a week. It was a habit, a search for a dopamine fix that no longer existed.

This phenomenon isn't unique to apps; it happens with any change. Rearranging furniture can feel odd at first, but we quickly adapt and fall into routine behavior.

The real challenge wasn't merely searching for a missing app. Instead, I would unlock my phone with a purpose, only to be sidetracked by notifications and end up wasting time on other applications, forgetting what I initially intended to do.

This pattern was likely exacerbated by my earlier strategy of not bringing my phone into the bathroom. When I finally checked my phone, I was greeted with a barrage of notifications and updates, creating a backlog of distractions to address.

I noticed this mind-hijacking tendency particularly when I was trying to establish my morning routine or focus on work tasks. I'd plan to set a timer but find myself scrolling through Instagram instead.

As an Android user, I appreciate the aesthetic of certain Apple products (with the exception of the AirPods Max, which I find unappealing), but I'm firmly embedded in the Samsung ecosystem. I own a Galaxy smartphone, tablet, and watch. Currently, Bixby serves my needs well, and I anticipate further enhancements to voice assistant technology in the future.

A 2019 article from the Harvard Business Review delves deeper into why tech companies are investing billions in this space.

While it's entertaining to ask Siri playful questions or command Alexa to play your favorite song, Samsung users like me benefit from having Bixby as a helpful companion.

Interestingly, the name "Bixby" is somewhat quirky, yet it's designed to avoid triggering accidental activations, much like "Alexa."

In the past, I primarily relied on Bixby while driving, using commands like, "Hey, Bixby, take me home," to launch navigation. However, I recently recognized that I needed a better strategy to minimize unintended app usage.

The Solution:

As I contemplated ways to break my habit, I received a notification that Bixby had updated, and suddenly, inspiration struck!

I often structure my work around interval timers for research and writing sessions. Bixby can initiate that app for me, allowing me to easily select the duration I require. When I want to groove to music, I simply say, "Hey, Bixby, play Chris Luno on YouTube."

Need quick information? Just ask Bixby, keeping me focused on my work rather than toggling between browser tabs.

It’s not that I have a brand-new phone with a voice assistant; Bixby has always been there, albeit underutilized. However, when my phone is within reach, it may seem counterintuitive to verbally request assistance for tasks I could do manually. But this approach isn't laziness; it’s strategic.

I recalled a scenario from Cal Newport's "Digital Minimalism," which highlights an early Apple II advertisement showing a salesman seamlessly transitioning from work to leisure tasks on the same device. Newport emphasizes that the true strength of general-purpose computing lies in its versatility, rather than multitasking capabilities.

In this context, using my voice assistant might seem trivial, but it effectively ensures that my phone serves a singular purpose at that moment, minimizing distractions.

Employing my voice assistant in this manner has significantly reduced my frustration with smartphone usage—a continuous goal of mine in managing technology.

Chapter 2: Harnessing Productivity with Voice Commands

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Learn how to supercharge your iPhone productivity with these ten effective tips! Elevate your smartphone experience and achieve more in less time.