5 Key Takeaways
- Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt advises young professionals to disconnect from digital devices to improve focus and relaxation.
- Schmidt criticizes the tech industry for creating attention-grabbing technologies that disrupt deep thinking.
- He dismisses meditation apps as ineffective, arguing that true relaxation requires turning off devices entirely.
- Research cited shows average computer screen focus time has dropped dramatically, highlighting the attention crisis.
- Meditation app companies disagree with Schmidt, claiming that not all screen time is equal and turning off phones isn't always realistic.
Why Google’s Ex-CEO Says Meditation Apps Won’t Help You Focus—And What Actually Works
Are you struggling to focus at work, even after trying all those popular meditation and productivity apps? You’re not alone. In fact, Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, has some surprising advice for anyone trying to concentrate or relax in today’s digital world: turn off your phone.
Schmidt, who led Google during its biggest years of growth, recently spoke on the Moonshots podcast about the real reason so many of us can’t focus. He says the problem isn’t just about willpower—it’s about how our devices are designed. According to Schmidt, tech companies (including Google itself) have spent years creating apps and notifications that are meant to grab your attention and keep you glued to your screen. Every ping, buzz, and alert is carefully crafted to make you look, click, and stay engaged.
This constant stream of digital interruptions, Schmidt says, is the opposite of what humans need to think deeply or relax. He points out that researchers and young professionals he works with have found the best way to focus is simple: just turn off your phone. “You can’t think deeply as a researcher with this thing buzzing,” he said, referring to smartphones.
Schmidt is also skeptical about meditation and wellness apps that claim to help you relax. He jokes that it’s odd to use a digital app to unwind, when the real solution is to step away from screens altogether. “The correct thing to do to relax is to turn off your phone, right? And then relax in a traditional way,” he said.
Research backs up Schmidt’s concerns. Studies show that our ability to focus on a computer screen has dropped dramatically—from about 2.5 minutes at a time twenty years ago, to just 47 seconds today. That’s a huge change, and it’s no wonder we feel more distracted than ever.
Of course, not everyone agrees with Schmidt. Companies behind popular meditation apps argue that not all screen time is bad, and that telling people to just turn off their phones isn’t always realistic.
But if you’re feeling overwhelmed by digital distractions, maybe it’s time to try Schmidt’s old-school advice: put your phone away, unplug for a while, and see how much better you can focus—no app required.
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