Everywhere around us, things are getting more technological. When people are not looking at computer screens to do work, they are looking at their phones or their tablets. Almost every task we do can be completed using technology. More than 30 percent of Americans spend over seven hours 1 each day using technology. Well, all that technology could actually make you less productive. Consider these reasons why you should step away from the technology.
1. Check your email less often
Research has found that people who continuously check their email at work are actually less productive than people who don't check it as often.2 While it's always good to stay on top of emails, addressing every single one as soon as it comes in might not be the greatest idea. Instead, check them in batches. Work for at least one hour before checking your inbox. Some people may have enough self-control to answer emails in batches, while others may not. If you aren't able to avoid answering emails right away, turn off your inbox notifications.
2. Turn off your phone's sound
Just like emails, people will check their phone as soon as they hear a noise.3 It's a natural habit that many of us have. However, half the time it may be an app notification or a reminder about a meeting. If you're at work, continually checking your phone will only slow you down. Just like your emails, turn off the notifications for apps, emails and even text messages. Or, just turn your phone on silent or put it on airplane mode. The less you hear it, the less you'll think about it.
3. Steer away from social media
Many social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, allow you to surf the web doing very little for hours on end. This isn't good, especially if you're trying to study for a test or get work done. It's time to sign out of those platforms. If you find that you can't help yourself, there are apps and web browsers that can actually help you. Certain sites, such as Self Control, actually block you from accessing these social media for a specific amount of time. So, if you're a severe Facebook addict, this is a good way to wean off of it. The same goes for mobile versions of these sites – either hide your phone or get rid of the app.
4. Keep a watch
If you tend to lose track of time when you're using technology, you may end up getting a lot less done than you anticipated. Instead, monitor how much time you spend using technology each day and significantly cut it down. That means keeping yourself to a strict schedule. You can either monitor your time on your own or set an alarm on your watch or phone to make sure you don't forget about it. There are also apps, such as TrackTime, which can detect how long you've been on your phone or tablet.
1 http://media.pollposition.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/Poll-Position-Crosstabs-Time-on-electronic-screens.pdf
2 http://business.time.com/2013/05/28/take-a-weekly-technology-break/
3 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/14/unplug-from-tech_n_1497820.html