-Declutter Your Digital Life: Part III
The online world and social media create a lot of distractions around you. Unplug from gadgets at times without a complete disconnect from the digital world to focus on the truly important elements of your life.
It is a good idea to unplug from technology at times. The online world and social media create distractions that keep you from focusing on the truly important elements related to your career and personal life. But this does not mean we must completely disconnect from the digital world for the rest of our lives or hide out in a mountain cabin to avoid the lure of technology.
The good news is that your connection to the online world does not have to dominate your life anymore. You can regain control of your time and find ways to reduce your connection to technology without having to completely disengage from the digital world.
Here are five simple but practical tips to reduce your technology ties:
1. Allocate a space where you do not keep any business technology or gadgets.
It’s near impossible to forego technology entirely from your life, but you can certainly remove your business technology from your private space. This way, you won’t be distracted after hours, wondering what more you can do for your clients while your family and friends wait not-so-patiently for you to finish.
Move your laptop, tablet, and mobile phone into a separate space — a spare bedroom or your home office are great locations. You do not have to be with your technology 24*7 every day. Keeping your devices in a separate space implies you going there to access your devices, creating a boundary between the technology and you. The old ‘out of sight, out of mind’ strategy will reduce the number of times you engage with your digital devices.
2. Don’t place your phone near your bed.
Your sleep is disrupted by the light transmitted from phones and tablets. As a result, it is difficult for your brain to turn off, making it harder for you to fall asleep. Break your smartphone addiction by not keeping it near your bed. That way, you will not be checking it before you go to sleep or when you first get up. You will be more relaxed and rested. The same is true with televisions, so avoid falling asleep with the TV on.
3. Designate one day or night every week to unplug from technology.
We all rely on being connected, and clients and colleagues do expect us to be available for them most of the time. Nevertheless, family is the most important element in your life. Designate one day or night every week to keep away from your phone, tablet, or laptop and be mindfully present for your family or friends. Do inform close contacts of your schedule of disengaging from the online world so they do not worry about you or try to reach you during that time.
4. Engage in more real-world activities unrelated to being online.
Control your online habits. Learn to relax and embrace peace and quiet by performing activities that do not require access to technology. Go biking or hiking to enjoy the great outdoors. Spend extra time soaking in the hot bathtub to relax, which you may have been unable to do for a long time. Read some books or learn more of that language you have always wanted to know.
5. Spend more time with your friends in person.
Instead of spending an hour or so texting friends living in the same city, meet them in person. Meet up for coffee at your place or a nearby cafe. Bonding in person will revitalize both of you. If you can’t meet in person, connect over a phone call to enjoy that one-on-one attention and conversation.
Technology is a wonderful invention, but it can overtake our time and lives if we don’t set boundaries. Finding a balance can be tricky but not impossible if you start off with these tips.
Tip: Are you a good time manager? Take the free 'My Time Management Style' Assessment to find out.
Smita D Jain is a Certified Personal Empowerment Life Coach, Executive Coach and NLP Coach Practitioner. Smita’s ‘Empower Yourself’ Personal Clarity Coaching Programs enable busy professionals unhappy in their jobs to find time for their passions and transform them into professions so that they work because they want to, not because they have to.
Prior to her journey as a coach, Smita had extensive experience of 14 years as a corporate and business strategy professional with Fortune 500 companies. She is also a speaker at various public forums, a published writer, and an Amazon bestselling author.
You can learn more about Smita’s ‘Empower Yourself’ Coaching Programs by visiting www.lifecoachsmitadjain.com, and book a complimentary strategy session with her at https://www.lifecoachsmitadjain.com/booking.
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