7 Ways to Be More Disciplined When Using Technology

Oct 20, 2021

Technology is beautiful. It helps us stay connected with our family members who are far away. Some platforms even boost our business’s marketing efforts. And others make our daily lives much easier. But there is one problem about it that we consider to be a drawback.

The wide availability of technology in the modern world has reduced our productivity as a species by controlling our actions. No. Let me rephrase that. We lack the discipline to properly use technology as just a tool to solve everyday dilemmas.

So how can you actually practice discipline over technology to take control of your life? How can you have more time to do the things that matter instead of mindlessly scrolling through a newsfeed? Read on and you’ll find the answers.

1. Understand that software companies are fighting for your attention

The Netflix documentary, “The Social Dilemma”, explores how big tech companies are working to keep your eyes glued to a screen. Little do you know, they design their platforms to hook you at a deeper level and sometimes even modify your behavior to their liking.

There is not a single solution for this problem because, by now, you’re already addicted to your phone and it’s hard to get out. Prove me wrong by not touching your smartphone for at least two days, using a keypad phone for communication, and just using a laptop for important transactions.

However, it’s not too late and you can still start to break free from tech addiction by:

Disabling push notifications from non-essential apps.
Uninstalling those non-essential apps.
If you really need to scroll aimlessly from time to time, put a time limit to such an activity. Better yet, put a time limit on non-essential apps.

2. Understand that most social media features don’t make sense

Aside from marketing purposes, selling, and connecting people, other features of social media are just instruments to feed our egos. Why did Facebook include a “My Day” or “Your Story” feature in Messenger and Instagram when we can already post our daily happenings on the standard news feed? Again, they don’t make sense. They’re just designed to make you swipe and tap even more.

3. Put your phone down when you don’t need it

What was your reason for buying your latest smartphone? Your first answer would obviously be “for communication”, right? Some would say for the camera and others would answer due to the better performance. Okay, based on those first two answers, do you think you’ve spent more time using them than the hours you’ve allotted to scrolling social media or watching Youtube?

My point is, you know you’re using your phone when you don’t need it for most of your time. You just don’t want to admit it. Why not just use a keypad phone for texts and calls? Or just check your smartphone for any messages and quickly put it back in your pocket if you’ve received nothing.

4. Question yourself what your purpose is when you open a gadget

The magic of social media is that it works like a slot machine. You don’t know what you want to get but you keep checking to see if there’s something and it’s called “The Vegas Effect”. I know this is a hard thing to do, but before you open your phone, computer, or just an app, ask yourself, “How does opening this benefit my life and business?” Then think deeply about whether you want to continue or just lock your phone.

5. Adopt the mindset of the shepherd, not the sheep

Shepherds are guides. They are leaders. And leadership is the #1 trait you need to have to be successful as a business owner. To be a good leader you must also be a good follower and to be a good follower you must know which things are worthy of following from those that are not. Following what technology tells you to do is certainly not one of those worthy things.

6. Use tech for its intended purpose

Smartphones are made by manufacturers for communication, recording media, and to be your personal digital assistant. Computers are made for work, research, and sometimes communication as well. Use them based on their purposes.

Although they do possess the capacity for entertainment and leisure, leave those activities by using your TV. The more accessible a piece of technology is, the more addictive it becomes.

7. Set aside time to disconnect

Turn off your internet for a while. Go on a hike, trek, or play some outdoor games. Hang out with people you love, exercise, or smell the flowers. Boredom is subjective. There are a lot of other things you can do to spend your extra time.

Most would even improve your health rather than just sitting down and scrolling through your newsfeed aimlessly. Because of this, you’ll learn to appreciate the world around you and realize that your life doesn’t really need Youtube, Netflix, and social networks in it.

Back in 2019 and 2020, people used social media with an average of 145 minutes per day and the number just keeps on growing. Will you be a part of the majority or will you break from the crowd, take control of your life, and spend your time productively to achieve solopreneurial success? Don’t answer with a simple yes. Answer by being a disciplined tech user right now.

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