How to Cure Your BlackBerry Habit

I'm the guiltiest of all. Like people smoke, I use the BlackBerry (as some like to call it..."Crackberry"). It is literally affixed to my hands and I'm really addicted, obsessed—and as ashamed as I am to say it—in love with my BlackBerry. However, there needs to be limits, so I have set some for myself. Here are ways for you too—to kick the BlackBerry habit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Strong willpower

1. Leave the device away from the bed at all times. It's obtrusive, intrusive, disturbing and the sheer knowledge that is right there makes you look at it at night and first thing in the morning. Allow some significant time before bed and after rising to turn off the device.
2. Turn off your BlackBerry at all meal times (especially when with others.) If at a restaurant, try to leave it in the car or in a jacket pocket. It is rude to use them in a restaurant as it is to use when dining with others. It is a terrible habit to be distracted while eating (it makes you eat more and disturbs digestion) and mealtime should be a sacred time to simply relax and nourish your body.
3. When on vacation, check it only twice. It is not necessary to respond to every single interaction someone attempts with you. I tend to respond to even the stupidest request that could easily wait hours or even days.
4. Allocate times of the day that you will answer everything at once. Of course, the workday in an office may be an exception, but try to return texts and emails the way you sit down and pay your bills. My problem is I pay each one as I get it, which is why I'm worse at this than anyone.
5. Get out of the habit of silly personal texts and emails. Keep your device for work and limit the need for its use.
6. When going to the movies, the gym, for a walk or to do a few errands, leave the BlackBerry at home.