Freedom from wifi – Your right to disconnect

2023 started the other day and we have less than 10 weeks before 2024 will dawn on us.
Slowing down is not always up to you though.
There are so many distractions and opportunities that derail you from the course you want to be on.
Technology is playing a big part in destroying your right to be in control today i.e. the Internet, social media, smartphones, gadgets, emails, the list never ends.

Technology evolved to make our species a more developed species.
A species that is more productive, healthier, happier and better adapted.
It seems to have taken the world over and had the opposite effect.
Scenes from the Stanley Kubrick masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey come to mind.
A computer taking charge of spaceship and life!
How close are you actually coming to ‘Hal’ completely destroying your life and career?

Technology addiction is in process of being classified as a mental health condition (research aplenty though).
It refers to compulsive and obsessive behaviors where tech is at play.
Research is yet to confirm what causes this but like other addictions, it seems to have roots in a combination of environmental, biological and genetic factors.

Was this not developed to help you?

Research globally shows that emails dictate your stress levels in such a way that in places, government (France) and industry (motor industry giants) have had to apply rules to regulate. More countries are following suit to protect their staff’s well-being and at the same time their organizations.
How are emails really impacting your life?
In what creative ways can you own your life despite these business and work pressures?

Neuroscience reminds you that social interaction is one of the most important keys to a “happy” being.
Time limitations have you connect with friends and family via Facebook.
Unfortunately technology here is a very bad substitute for real connection and time together.
More people than ever are disconnecting from social media completely.
What might happen to your relationships if you swap one hour of social media with real life humans every day?

Smartphone use has escalated to troublesome levels.
Think familiar scenes in restaurants where people are on their phones instead of talking.
A client recently lost his phone and was off-line for 3 blissful days.
His reflections of worry and anxiety were interesting as one would think this would increase. Note though the difference being that he had no choice in the matter of lost phone.
What can you do to to have a blissful day or week instead of dumping your smartphone?

What are today’s trends around sustainable vegetable gardening and camping telling you?
Research seems to indicate that it is a reactive state of survival.
Something around managing through the chaos and trying to look after the planet, eating real food again where technology had no say and having a legitimate excuse to not be available.
One has not even started about how technology and its by-products are killing and polluting your planet.

Surely you don’t have to run away to the mountains with no connectivity to be YOU?
Or do you have to do this actually?
Own your right and disconnect.

Disconnection = Freedom

Challenge yourself for a day, week or month.

Social Media
How about deleting the apps off your smartphone?

Smartphone
What about usage rules (bedroom-free –including charging – or no after 8pm)? 

Emails
What about disabling phone-email with an out of office reply and email-free weekends?

With extra time – don’t scratch the proverbial tech-itch, but do what you’ve missed.
Maybe an early morning surf or hike, reading that book or time with the kids?

Most important keep track of your own new insights and what this freedom feels like.

Good luck for a tech-disconnect-time.
If you need help on this journey make contact and surround yourself with the best people to make it a memorable one.

Updated: As published in leading business journal Accountancy SA.