Digital Sabbatical
I’m continually in awe of technology and how we can use it for positive change.
But I’ve also been wondering how much time we really need to spend online, on our phones & on social media to be connected.
For instance, think about your own behaviors. Do you wake-up and check your email, twitter, or facebook stream before breakfast? Or do you repeatedly check your phone for incoming messages during dinner with friends or family? I’ve definitely been guilty of those bad behaviors. They take away from my connection to the present and what's right in front of me.
Over time I see these habits build up to a major digital hangover - a lack of creativity, decreased productivity, depleted vitality and a disconnection from your body, nature and REAL people.
To be an entrepreneur, vitality is required! You need MORE energy and focus than 99% of the population, in order to do all you need to do. You ARE your brand and your product, so looking good and feeling good are key.
What is a digital sabbatical? In short, it means dedicating one day a week or even a whole month away from the internet, email, twitter, and other online activities.
You could choose one type of media to black out, for 5 days, or less. A Twitter holiday. A voicemail hiatus. An inbox escape. A single screen-free day. Even that’s mega-thrilling.
But I’ve also been wondering how much time we really need to spend online, on our phones & on social media to be connected.
For instance, think about your own behaviors. Do you wake-up and check your email, twitter, or facebook stream before breakfast? Or do you repeatedly check your phone for incoming messages during dinner with friends or family? I’ve definitely been guilty of those bad behaviors. They take away from my connection to the present and what's right in front of me.
Over time I see these habits build up to a major digital hangover - a lack of creativity, decreased productivity, depleted vitality and a disconnection from your body, nature and REAL people.
To be an entrepreneur, vitality is required! You need MORE energy and focus than 99% of the population, in order to do all you need to do. You ARE your brand and your product, so looking good and feeling good are key.
What is a digital sabbatical? In short, it means dedicating one day a week or even a whole month away from the internet, email, twitter, and other online activities.
The Main Reasons to Take a Digital Sabbatical
- Have a mind cleanse. Use time away from the online world to become more mindful of what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.
- Reclaim your time. Taking a break will restore your sense of time, instead of it slipping away from you when online.
- Exercise your body and mind. A lack of creativity, decreased productivity and disconnection from your body are all signs that your game needs to be shaken up.
- Break the online dependency. Being away and not relying on the internet will allow you to stop feeding the urge to be connected to anything other than yourself.
- Create space to do what matters. Instead of wandering online without a purpose and nothing to show for it, you can spend time doing something of value to you.
- Face the fear of disconnecting. Taking a break can challenge the fear of missing out or being left behind in the virtual world. You’re SO wonderful & vivid & crucial. And yet, the world WILL chug along without you, for a day, a week, or more ;)
Rules of (Dis)engagement
- Laptop = Fully, irrevocably, unquestionably OFF. No ifs, ands or buts.
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Phone = Nope. But, there are a couple of addendums:
- Use it for finding directions.
- Use it for scheduling playdates & adventures with family and friends.
- Check your voicemail once a day, to make sure nothing drastic has happened that you need to attend to…and to see if I have any long-distance love messages, of course.
- TV = Nope. (Not even Netflix)
- Snail mail = Yes. (Like it’s going outta style.) Write a couple of postcards or letters.
- Music = Yes.
- Silence = Frequently. As needed. And with intention.
You could choose one type of media to black out, for 5 days, or less. A Twitter holiday. A voicemail hiatus. An inbox escape. A single screen-free day. Even that’s mega-thrilling.
The Practical Stuff
If you’re ramping up for a digital sabbatical of 48 hours (or more), it’s not a bad idea to prepare with a few practical actions.- Forewarn your clients, comrades & colleagues with a prep message.
- Add an auto-responder to your email account letting people know what you're up to and when you'll be back.
- Pre-schedule your Twitter messages, or post a simple blog letting people know what's up.
- Rock out some email filters & labels to automate your email so you can comeback without major email overload.
- Make sure your bills are set to auto-pay, your domain names are set to auto-renew, your blog articles are scheduled to auto-post, and nothing’s gonna implode if you’re not there to click “confirm.”
13 Offline Ideas
Looking for a list of offline inspiration, so you don’t go bonkers with boredom? Look no further. Here are 13 ideas:- Read a good book. Check out my Amazon bookstore for my personal recommendations.
- Move more. Sit less. Take a walk, a hike or a run.
- Get up to watch the sunrise.
- Practice preparing new meals.
- Simplify your finances. Make a budget. Go over your spending habits.
- Meditate.
- Take a yoga class. Or if you go regularly, try a new studio just for kicks.
- Write in a journal.
- Get artsy. Dare yourself to paint, draw or sketch.
- Take a drive to a city or town you've never been to before.
- If there's something you usually do in a rush, do..... it..... slow.
- Offer to help someone out.
- Clean out your a room in your house (or even the whole thing) and bag stuff up to give away.
For going deeper, more inspiration & more information........
