Using tech to stay on track

We often hear that our phones are to blame for our lack of focus. Social media, endless notifications, and dopamine loops keep us in a cycle of distraction. But what if the solution isn’t ditching your devices, it’s reprogramming them?

In my own journey of self-development, I realized something crucial: the tech itself isn’t the enemy. It’s how we use it. Once I started intentionally designing my digital environment to support my goals, things began to shift.

Here’s exactly how I turned my iPhone and laptop into tools that push me to become better every day.

 

1. Using iPhone Widgets for Visual Inspiration and Accountability

Pinterest Widgets: A Glimpse of the Life You Want

Instead of letting your home screen be a blank space or filled with distractions, I use Pinterest widgets as visual anchors. Here’s how:

• I set up widgets that change every hour.

• Each one is connected to specific boards:

  • My vision board — with the lifestyle I want.

  • My “Aesmor Lifestyle” board — images that represent elegance, discipline, and the version of myself I want to become.

   

The result? Every time I unlock my phone, I’m reminded of who I want to be. Not just empty motivation quotes — but curated, aesthetic inspiration that emotionally reconnects me to my long-term vision.

TickTick Widgets: Real-Time Progress Tracking

Another key tool I use is TickTick — specifically the calendar widget that shows habit streaks.

• I track key daily goals:

  • Did I go to the gym today?

  • Did I wake up early?

   

• Each day I hit the mark, the calendar highlights it.

• Over time, I can see streaks, trends, and patterns — visually.

 

This builds a deep sense of accountability. If I start breaking the chain, I feel it. But more importantly, when I’m on a roll, I see it — and it fuels my momentum.

 

2. Notion Homepage Setup: Goals Front and Center

When I open Notion, I don’t want to get lost in tasks or templates. I want clarity. That’s why I wrote my top 3 goals at the very top of my Notion homepage — always visible.

Here’s the structure that worked for me:

1. Goal #1: Grow my business

   • Why: So I can build something meaningful and live on my own terms.

    

2. Goal #2: Have a great, muscular body

   • Why: Because how I feel physically impacts everything else.

    

3. Goal #3: Reach X income level

   • Why: To secure my freedom and take care of the people I love.

    

Simple, powerful. Every time I open Notion, I get hit with my “why”. It becomes impossible to forget what I’m working toward.

 

Aesmor cases: motivation without opening your screen

This mindset is what inspired me to create Aesmor phone cases. They’re designed with powerful, minimalist visuals and quotes that speak to the part of you that wants more.

When you place your phone face down, instead of being pulled into notifications, you get a visual cue that reminds you of your goals.

No distraction. just alignment.

It’s a small thing, but small things, repeated every day, shape who we become.

The Psychology Behind This

There’s science behind why this works.

• Visual cues: Studies in cognitive psychology show that visual stimuli connected to goals can improve attention and motivation (source: Gollwitzer et al., 2006).

• Goal priming: When your goals are visible, your brain stays subconsciously aligned with them. You’re less likely to drift.

 

Instead of your tech pulling you away, it pulls you in the right direction.

 

Final Thoughts

If your tech is a source of distraction, change the way you use it. Small tweaks — like meaningful widgets or a focused homepage — can make a huge difference in how you show up every day.

You don’t need to throw away your phone or delete every app. You just need to make your digital environment work for you — not against you.