Are you Overconnected to Technology?
Jordan Raynor, a digital strategist, provided TwoTen with tips for disconnecting from technology. Read about them in the following article...
As Christians, we are called to be set apart from the world in everything we do, be it in business, our marriages, or the way we treat our kids. But what does it look like to be setapart with regard to how we use technology? This is something I have been praying and thinking about a lot in this new era. As a technology enthusiast , it hasn’t been easy. I have been convicted of my addiction to many of these technologies and have been made aware of the impact - both positive and negative - they have on my life. If you’re like me, you have seen how technology can make you less engaged, focused and calm. Here are 5 practical tips for unplugging from your favorite technologies.
1. Resist checking email “after hours.”
This is the hardest habit I have tried to implement in my life, which to me underscores its importance. For the past few weeks, I have made it a goal to not check email at all “after hours.” This doesn’t just apply to responding to email. No checking email. Period. For me, checking email is the surest way to get my mind back into work mode, thinking about what I have to do tomorrow. Nothing makes me less engaged at home. So I challenge you to give it a shot. For one week, refuse to check your email from the moment you leave your desk in the afternoon until you are back at your desk in the morning. I bet you will find that there’s not a single email that comes in during those hours that truly needs a response by morning. Furthermore, I bet the pay-off in your stress-level and level of engagement at home is more than worth it.
2. Keep your phone and computer out of sight during quiet times.
I seem to always have my phone sitting on whatever table I am using, including my kitchen table where I do my quiet time. Even if I have my phone on silent, the push notifications from Twitter, Instagram or Facebook are sure to distract me. That’s why I always keep my phone face down on the table, ensuring that I can stay as focused as possible when I am spending time with the Lord. If you use your tablet to access great Bible apps like YouVersion™ during your quiet time like I do, just be sure to turn off notifications before you begin. By the way, this is a rule that I have implemented at all
times during the day, not just my quiet times. It’s a great practice for focus...
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