Part II. - An everyday plan about how getting your brain back in times social media overload and #mimimi content addiction
After getting bored about social media for 4 years more and more, I changed my behavior regarding workflows and social media by a 180-degree turnaround and I like it more and more. It's not about using only paper, pen, and telephone again, it's more about self-discipline and also about the devices you use.
Tech and Social Media is ok, if you create something, that makes others think or has a value, but not about reading feeds all the time and answering silly WhatsApp messages and emails.
These 2 Videos from Remarkable and from Punkt made me more to think about it and change it, because I was bored about our behavior for the last 4-5 years, yelling bullshit via social media into the world and waiting every year for the new Samsung or Apple device coming out with some more addictive features. Yes, I like tech and devices, but now it's time to select more and more wisely.
So what did I do now?
I made some rules, how to use social media and my devices during the day and also while I meet with good friends, and this made my life more satisfying and productive, even I was productive and satisfied before, but you can always finetune.
So what are these rules and workflows?
- I am only available by phone and email, 8 am - 8 pm. That's enough because I am not a 24/7/365 Pizza service. ;-)
- When we meet with friends we put our phones into a box which is in the middle of the dinner table and all devices remain there until we leave. If someone is bored by a conversation topic he can change it or leave, but there is not participation while you check your WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook every 10 minutes.
Which devices I use?
- Smartphone only when I am traveling, but not when I am in Vienna.
- My regular phone can only call and send sms, like this one's: LIGHT PHONE or PUNKT MP02 phone
- I use my Computer and the internet only during the day, when I work, but I killed all messenger apps and accounts like: Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Xing, Signal, Twitter, etc pp. - maybe #LinkedIn is the next one in 6 months... ;-)
- I use a paper eInk tablet like the remarkable or Boox Note Pro for my meetings and the IPad only for showing presentations to clients.
- Yes, I use all my databases like CRM's, ATS and also Video Calls, but not on the go.
So in the end I just use my phone, where I can get called and the e-ink notebook during meetings and there is no interruption during the day than by a phone call or personal meeting, because I check my eMails 4 times per day only and only on my computer not a mobile device. The result is that from this video:
I think after 20 years of internet and 10 years of intensive social media, we need a change in how we communicate and use these devices, but maybe the crowd will experience this in 5 or 8 years, because at the moment the DACH area people discovering #LinkdIn at the moment, as their new #facebook.
On the other side, my global early adopter friends are on my side and started the described change for 6-12 months, because they feel like me.
Maybe this is also something for you, to say NO to your devices and social media and don't let them take over the control over you. I believe that we became addicts of our devices and business robots, who are always on for stupid content. We are not the Mr. President, who has to be always on, but we behave like this and it makes us stupid by producing senseless content and hunting for likes.
You decide, when you are available and not your smartphone and I am sure you do not miss anything if you are more offline. Good friends call or visit you if it's important, and the rest is just advertising and irrelevant content you do not need.
Even the quality of your meetings with business partners and friends will increase because you have more topics to discuss when you meet.
Enjoy your offline weekend and be social in real life not in social media.
Greetings from Vienna,
Thomas
Picture source: www.remarkable.com