Digital Detox

We get overdose of digital communication these days - different WhatsApp groups, ex school friends, apartment neighbours, ex-apartment neighbours, colleagues and what not and of course LinkedIn, Facebook etc.

HBR has been consistently publishing that frequent distraction is a major factor for reduced productivity as well as even reduced creativity. They have been strongly recommending giving freedom and "smartphone free" hours everyday.

So, I did the following

1. First of all I switched off  "notifications"  - removed all notifications - this helped me to look into relevant Apps with my prioritisation. Only phone calls were allowed to intrude that too, when in meetings, I ensure that phone is on silent (no vibration either) and the phone is kept with screen facing down!
2. Then when I went on the year end holidays, I switched off Data! this was unthinkable for me - I had withdrawal symptoms as soon as I did - I was constantly looking at my phone but there is no new message! but slowly got used to it and I managed to stay off all data related notifications for 4 full days - That was my "Digital Detox" moment and I got to admit that I had enough time to reflect, meditate and chart out plan for 2016 more clearly.
3. When I switched it off 4 days later, I realised that most of the WhatsApp messages, emails did not require my immediate attention and even those required attention was not so critical and when it indeed was critical, some one bothered to call me and talk to me.

I seriously recommend Digital detoxing every week now - stay away from the smartphone - your brain is smarter than the smartest phone.