As an entrepreneur, do you ever feel that you are low on productivity? Or somewhere, is the spark in you missing out?
Living in a digitized business world, you wake up, and the first thing you see is your phone for emails, scheduled meetings, or any important call that you missed. And it is, more often than not, also the last thing you go through before going to sleep.
We all need a digital detox every once in a while. Getting addicted to devices is difficult to avoid. Although these new advancements have made things faster, it may be time to slow down a bit.
Why the digital detox is important
Taking a break from your digital devices is called a digital detox. And why is it important? Because it helps you reduce your stress levels, improve focus, and work more efficiently. Avoiding screens can help you pay more attention to your personal development and can boost your creativity and problem-solving skills. You can have real conversations, do things that you enjoy, and feel more connected to yourself and the world. Furthermore, abstaining from screens helps you build better and healthier habits. It gives you a chance to try new things.
So, just like how you need to charge your phone to keep it working well, you need a digital detox to keep yourself running smoothly as an entrepreneur. And not just big things; even small steps towards that cause can make a big difference.
How to Digitally Detox
Knowing about "why you should digitally detox" is not enough, so let's take note of "how can you digitally detox yourself" as well:
1. Switch off for a day
Recently, Women Listed organized a panel discussion at Amity University about women in business. They talked about balancing work and life. An entrepreneur named Anshita Mehrotra from Fix My Curls shared her thoughts on how she tries to take at least one day in the week (Saturday) out for herself. She keeps this day as a way to detox and re-group herself, especially steering clear of using digital mediums. And in that way, she makes sure she is always on top of her 24x7 entrepreneurial lifestyle.
Indeed, being an entrepreneur is a 24/7 task most of the time. Especially if you are just starting or expanding your business, if you take some time off every month from all digital work-related activities, it will be helpful in your entrepreneurial skills development.
2. Schedule intervals for checking your emails
Being an entrepreneur, answering emails can be tiring and sometimes takes up a lot of your time. It also distracts you from working on something important. To save yourself from this, all you can do is set intervals for checking emails for a specific time of your day, like either morning or noon. This way, you can answer most of your emails in a much more systematic manner.
3. Avoid taking your phone when you are having meals
Sometimes, on a busy day, you might feel like you are rushing around, and your phone may be constantly ringing. Can you relate to this scenario? Well, take a moment to relax during lunch hours by putting your phone aside. Just close that computer or laptop of yours and simply focus on enjoying your food.
4. Avoid taking your phone to your bed
One such way to detox is to try keeping your phone away from your bed, as the blue light emitting from your gadgets can mess up your eyesight and sleep. It's better to keep your laptops also away and plug your phone on the opposite side of the room. And get those 8 hours of sleep in the night so that when you wake up the next day, you are full of energy and not feeling burdened or lethargic.
5. Disable notifications
Turning off notifications can be like taking a break for your brain. Imagine your phone buzzing and beeping all the time; it can make you feel overwhelmed and distracted, especially if you're an entrepreneur juggling a lot of things. Disabling notifications is like giving yourself a little time away from all that noise. It means you won't be constantly interrupted by notifications or updates, so you can focus better on the tasks at hand without getting pulled away every few minutes.
As an entrepreneur, taking these small breaks from your devices can rejuvenate your mental energy. Though it is difficult for you to stay away from your phones, celebrating these little wins can add to your successful entrepreneurial journey. And by balancing your digital use, you'll feel more free to enjoy your work life both online and offline.
Also Read, Mastering Money: 5 Essential Finance Tips for Female Entrepreneurs
Also Read, Investing in Her Success: 6 Ways to Lift Women-Owned Businesses
