The digital universe has miraculously revolutionized the way we do business. Once upon a time, sending emails from our desktop seemed futuristic. Now we swipe through our inbox, plan meetings and create attention-grabbing content, all on the shiny screen in the palm of our hand. The internet (and the cavalcade of clever devices connecting us to it) have brought us closer than ever, meaning a network of clients is no longer confined to one area-code. We’re part of a global community and the perks for our business are endless. The magnetic pull of social media is a powerful promotional tool; innovations and ideas shared in a click – it’s no wonder we feel we can’t function without tech.
For many of us, business relies on the constant interaction and self-promotion our electronic gadgets afford us. It’s the medium through which we build our empires in the first place, with remote team members joining meetings on Skype, and Twitter disagreements blossoming into collaborative projects. But there’s a darker side to this high-speed, multi-screened, digital boom. It’s highly addictive. Ever left the house without your smartphone? Your hands flounder for something to busy them. The lightness of your pocket is all wrong. And there’s more. How many missed calls will jam your screen? What clients, contacts and opportunities are you missing as your device vibrates unanswered on the kitchen table?
The inability to live without technology may seem innocent enough – that’s just how we do it these days, right? – but in fact a break from your gadgets could be exactly what you and your business need. Over-reliance on the digital is actually having a negative impact on our business, from our team, to our workflow, to our productivity. So why should business owners consider a tech-free break? Here are some of the benefits…
1. Save your sanity
An addiction to tech may be seriously detrimental to your mental health. And when you’re running your own business, a sharp mind and positive attitude are vital. According to Forbes Magazine, social media is responsible for feelings of dissatisfaction, which is ultimately bad for business. If your business has an online presence, the danger of negatively comparing your work to that of other entrepreneurs is real. Endless scrolling can lead to overthinking, creating a sense of competition that can easily become unhealthy. A break from social media sets you free from the sinking feeling your business isn’t shining as brightly as others.
2. Give your body a break
It’s not just your mental health that suffers when you’re nursing a tech addiction. From backache to repetitive strain injury, from dry eyes to weight gain, there’s plenty of evidence our generation’s love affair with the internet puts our bodies at risk. While you and your team may sit happily in the office, glued to your screens for hours at a time, hunched postures and the potentially damaging blue light emitted by laptops and tablets could bring your workforce to their knees in the longer term. The benefits of switching off could mean happier, healthier staff.
3. Get focused
Increased use of screens and constant stimulation can reduce your attention span – and that of your team. A smartphone lying innocently on the desk is not as harmless as it looks. All it takes is one message ping, the tempting half-glimpse of a WhatsApp voice note, and before you know it you’re drowning in a tidal wave of Simpsons memes and Kardashian lipgloss. A screen-free detox brings focus and cuts distractions. Break free from your gadgets and you’ll have the peace and silence you need to clarify your business’s priorities for the weeks, months and years ahead.
4. Back to basics
Letting go of your smartphone comfort blanket and rediscovering slower means of communication can bring a surprising new perspective to your business. Try to think of it less as a return to the stone-age and more as the moment to channel your inner Don Draper. A friendly phone-call beats an email hands-down, at least in terms of building positive client relationships. Nothing is more satisfying than crossing off a finished task on a handwritten to-do list. While these approaches aren’t ideal in the long term, reducing screen time and adopting more ‘vintage’ methods will actually strip away some of the complications the digital age has brought us.
5. Be inspired
It’s one thing to work on reducing your digi-dependency by deleting apps and silencing ringtones. A full-on tech-free getaway is another freedom entirely. Booking a break to somewhere phone coverage is minimal and wifi is a dirty word, you’ll give yourself the space to find true inspiration. Sometimes as business owners we get bogged down in recycled ideas, but with a breath of country air and a few days email-free, there’s suddenly space for brand new ideas to come to you. Take your notebook along so you can record sparkling innovations on a blustery beach or rugged hilltop gadget free
6. Fresh eyes
If you never switch off, when do you ever get a fresh start? Do you check emails all evening long or answer phone calls on during your child’s nativity debut? You’re not alone. Part of running your own business is being passionate and devoted. But if there’s no off-switch and no break time, then your energy levels and attitude can blur into an average grey-area of effort. A digital detox – whether a week-long vacation or a daily pause with gadgets turned off – means you can spring back to action bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, revived and ready for new possibilities. Step away from devices and you’ll rediscover them with fresh eyes every time.
How?
You’ve admitted you’re addicted and are convinced of the benefits of switching off. The next step is considering how to do it. Things like the vibrate setting and push notifications can be the first to go. This eliminates distractions and reduces the risk of getting swept into a Whatsapp debate or YouTube vortex. Making simple swaps can also help: Ask clients to call instead of email, and inform colleagues and partners that you’ll be unreachable from, say, 7pm each evening. Organizing a remote holiday where you physically leave your phone at home is the next (and scariest) step, but one which could wildly transform your perspective and free you of your need for screens. It’s going to be tough, but it will certainly be worth it.
