Recruitment is one of the few industries where being on your phone genuinely can make you money.
Calls get placements.
Messages build relationships.
LinkedIn creates visibility.
WhatsApps keep deals moving.
The problem is that somewhere along the way, many recruiters stopped being “on” their phones for work and simply became permanently on them. We convince ourselves that scrolling LinkedIn at 9pm is productive. That replying to emails during dinner shows commitment. That checking notifications on a bank holiday is somehow helping us stay ahead.
But often, it is not performance. It is overstimulation.
And the irony is that the more connected we become digitally, the more disconnected we can feel mentally, physically and emotionally.
This weekend, I decided to do something different. I put my phone away for most Sunday and only used it for 38 minutes in total.
The difference was honestly shocking.
I felt calmer.
More present.
My mind felt quieter.
I slept better.
Even my marriage felt stronger because I was actually engaged in conversations instead of half listening whilst scrolling.
What really struck me was how conditioned many of us have become to reach for our phones every spare second. Waiting for the kettle? Phone. Sitting on the sofa? Phone. Watching TV? Phone and TV.
Our brains never truly switch off.
For recruiters especially, this matters because recruitment already requires constant communication, decision making and emotional energy throughout the day. If we never allow our nervous systems to recover, burnout stops being a possibility and starts becoming inevitable.
Stepping away from your phone does not mean you suddenly lose your ambition or stop caring about your business. In fact, the opposite is often true. Rested people think more clearly. They communicate better. They build stronger relationships. They make better decisions.
Some of the best things recruiters can do for their performance have nothing to do with working harder:
- leave the phone in another room for an hour
- go for a walk without podcasts
- stop scrolling LinkedIn before bed
- have meals without notifications
- create genuine recovery time
Because high performance is not about being available 24/7. It is about knowing when to switch on, and when to finally switch off.
Have you ever looked at your screen time? You may be shocked.
If you would like to discuss anything you have read in this article in more detail email me on:
https://www.michelleflynncoaching.com/
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