Why Digital Minimalism Is A Life Hack For Productivity

We live in a digital world today where almost everyone has access to at least a smartphone that connects to the internet. Look around and you'd see many people with their heads down. Not in sorrow or anguish, but scrolling through their phones; following matches on parimatch so as not to miss updates, and so on. On the street, inside the cafe, in the Church, name it, everyone stays glued.

As much as this keeps people connected, it also keeps them distracted. The same device that helps you work is the same that pulls you away from work.

What Is Digital Minimalism?

Digital minimalism simply means using technology for what's important and letting the rest go. It is deleting the apps that steal hours of time daily without getting anything in return. It is using one device at a time for a specific task and not staring at many devices at once.

The goal here is not to live without technology. It is to stop living for it.

What Addiction to Devices Does

Too much use of phones and other gadgets cause more harm than good. Anyone who gets addicted to them suffer in different ways:

• It reduces interest and attention to major tasks.

• It raises anxiety when another person's highlights make you feel worthless.

• Real life opportunities are oftentimes missed.

• Sleep suffers the most when you stay longer on phones during bedtime.
  

Note that this is not just about smartphones, most times the blue light ray at night messes with the brain’s sleep signals. Yet, some people can't sleep without having it on.

How To Limit The Use of Devices

First, you don't have to throw your phone away. It's not even realistic. What to do is just give self-discipline a chance.

• Turn off notifications when it's not work time.

• Keep your phone away from you if you need to sleep. Possibly, put it in the next room.

• Change routine. Instead of being on the phone or laptop all the time, read a book. Do some chores.

• Get rid of apps that are time-wasters.

• Set a boundary. For instance, you can leave devices in the room when it's time to eat.

Once these become a routine, everything turns normal and you do more productive work than before.

Final Thought 

Devices are just a tool and nothing more. They are to assist, yes. But the moment they are at the center of everything, it's not always easy to get back on track. 

You have authority over their usage, especially the phone. It's possible to take back what has long been taken. Never get bored to minimize the use of devices. Your productivity depends on the choice you make.