In a world where there is seemingly an incessant stream of ‘noise’, it can be easy to lose focus, get distracted or feel overwhelmed. Having technology at our fingertips can be incredibly useful – it can make tasks quicker or easier, bring the world closer together and provide answers within moments. Having reminders and online calendars can help us to remember important events or appointments. We can capture moments with our camera’s, share links or take notes.
However, if we don’t make technology work FOR us, it becomes our master. We may feel lost or uncomfortable if we don’t have our phones within arm’s reach or have our notifications turned on. We may feel like we have to respond to that email, text, What’s App message or call straight away.
All these things can leave us feeling drained, overwhelmed or foggy headed. We become the slave to technology; endlessly scrolling through social media looking for something that will ultimately improve how we feel yet we often come off feeling depleted.
So how do we overcome the traps of technology and the digital world to make it a helpful tool rather than a chain round our ankle? Here are 7 suggestions to help you overcome digital distractions…
1. Consider what you want from technology / the digital world and set an intention before you even touch it. For example, are you wanting to see what your friends have been up to over the weekend? Do you want inspiration for your next trip? Are you trying to build your business? Do you want to learn a new skill? Are you trying to decide how to use the leftover veg for your tea? Do you want to be reminded when your dentist appointment is?
When we know what we want to achieve it’s easier to decide which app / technology is the most appropriate to use.
2. If you know that you have a tendency for doom scrolling and end up disappearing into your social platform for longer than you would like, set yourself a time limit and put an alarm on to remind you times up.
3. Use the settings on your phone to help you stay focussed or create positive habits. I’ve found that putting my phone on ‘Do not disturb’ has been invaluable for giving me some peace to get on with a task. I also have a Bedtime routine where my phone automatically switches to dark mode and do not disturb at a certain time and remains that way until the time I have set in the morning. (I actually turn my phone off overnight anyway – an alarm clock is a great device!)
4. Be selective about the notifications you have turned on or use the mute function so that you choose when to check the apps etc.
5. Have set times for checking your emails. I know people who have a signature message saying that they only check their messages at certain times of the day or that they may respond at seemingly random times but there is no expectation for you to respond during that time period. I remember when I was a child that I would write letters to friends or relatives who lived further away – it would take a couple of days before the letter reached them, then they would respond and write back so it could take a good week or more before I received a reply.
6. Try and have a digital free zone at mealtimes or on set days. After watching The Social Network a few years ago, I decided to have ‘social media free Sunday’s’. I don’t feel like I miss out – I can always check in on Monday.
7. Find alternative activities to do that don’t involve digital technology. Play board games, read, get out in your garden, go for a walk, meet with a friend, do some arts or crafts or be a tourist in your city for a day.
Once you make some small tweaks and become less reliant on technology to entertain you or make you feel better, it’s surprising what you begin to notice.
If you’d like some help to adjust your relationship to technology and get more out of life, book a free Experience Session and let’s have a chat