In this post, we will talk about how to take control of your technology. For instance, if you find yourself constantly checking social media, this may apply to you. Coupled with being distracted, you may notice you’re lacking the “life” part of work-life balance. So, if you want to take the reigns again on your tech, keep reading!
Planning Hands Free Time
Generally speaking, when referring to “hands free,” it means using technology without physical interaction. In contrast, when we say we want you to plan for hands free time, we mean you should have your hands literally free from technology. No phones, tablets, or smart devices allowed. After some time, you may even look forward to having your hands free for other activities.
Avoiding Information Overload
Next, avoiding information overload is pertinent to maintaining your focus. By the same token, it is also important to know when to take a break. In the long run, turning off mobile notifications from applications during meetings and office hours will enable you to be completely engaged in whatever you’re doing.
Don't Bring Your Gadgets
Not only are gadgets distracting, they can lead to notification fatigue. In either case, leaving your mobile device in another room while you work may be beneficial. For those that use 2-Factor Authentication (2FA), this may not be fully possible, so consider putting your phone in a drawer when not in-use.
Curbing Your Technology Obsession
For the most part, a lot of people don’t consider their phone use to be at the “obsession” level. However, if you respond to texts while driving or you’re on vacation, you’ll need to up your level of effort. In my case, I scheduled office hours during the week in which I knew I would be working. Additionally, I turned off notifications from work applications during my off-hours.
Planning a Digital Fast
If none of the techniques above seem to work for you, it might be time to take a digital fast. Sometimes, even a two-day outing to your local campground will suffice. In addition, if you’re not looking to travel, you can visit a nearby park instead. Altogether, you should prepare for pure solitude with no music, podcasts, games, or anything else that uses technology.
In Conclusion
Lastly, even if you’ve been under technology’s spell for several years, there’s still a way out. Once you have identified your strategy to take control of your technology, you’ll notice an improvement in your quality of life. To summarize, you can benefit from regular tech-free time, leaving your phone in another room, and avoiding information overload.
What do you do to combat being controlled by technology? Let us know in the comments below.
Resources & Further Reading
Montero, P. (2012, March 20). 5 secrets to controlling technology & not letting it control you. Retrieved May 04, 2021, from https://www.chrisducker.com/controlling-technology/
Papazoglou, A. (2019, October 14). Do we control tech-or does tech control us? Retrieved May 04, 2021, from https://onezero.medium.com/do-we-control-tech-or-does-tech-control-us-e4de8dc78b6c
Stafford, R. (2017, January 19). How to Control Technology Instead of Letting it Control You. Retrieved May 04, 2021, from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-control-technology_b_9012384