Why You Should Take a Digital Break (and 6 Steps To Do So)

We live in a highly digital world today. Our work requires us to use the internet in one way or another. We readily turn to emails, social media, and chat messengers for daily communications. Sometimes, we tend to favor them more than face-to-face contact.

I'm probably a good example of what you'd call a web junkie. I'm connected to the web almost all the time, whether I'm at home, working or on the go.

For one, a lot of my work is based online. I run a personal development blog which I update regularly. I do 1-1 coaching with international clients via Skype and recently I started courses online, too.

The negative effects of being connected

While I found this 24/7 connectivity useful initially, it felt more distracting than helpful after a while. For example, when I'm online, I'd catch myself checking my emails, Twitter, Facebook, and blog stats every 10 to 15 minutes even though I'm in the middle of other work.

The excessive connectivity has created false urgency where I felt the need to know what's happening all the time. Not only that, the web is so vast that it's easy to get lost in the surfing.

In reading a site, one link leads to another and before I know it, I've already spent a good chunk of time surfing sites that are not related to what I'm supposed to do. This would happen several times throughout the day.

It was counter-productive.

While it seemed like i was very busy switching between checking/replying websites and doing my work, I wasn't getting much done. Administrative and micro-work, yes- but not the important stuff.

Taking a technology time out

Lately, I tried an experiment to take a break from the digital world.

Rather than work online, I disconnected and went to a quiet spot to work. I noticed a huge difference.

These short 45 to 60-minute breaks easily became my most productive hours of each day. I’m not thinking about anything except about what I’m working on. I’m more big picture focused and there’s just nothing distracting me.

Today, I make it a point to take digital breaks several times a day. I encourage you to try it for 30 minutes and see how it works out for you. It doesn't matter even if your work is online-based.

Mine is and I'm able to disconnect with no problem.

Here are some tips on how you can do that:

Know what exactly you want to do online.

Without setting this intention clear, you can be easily distracted by the barrage of things online once you log on. With that in mind, write a list of things you want to do that can only be done online.

For example, say you're writing a report and you need to research on the topic. You also want to check your mail for updates from clients. Then, follow this list and strike each item off once it's completed. If you come across something online that's not in your list, that's a distraction and you should ignore it. 

Disconnect when you're done.

Once your work online is done, you should disconnect and work on your priorities. While some of us may feel uneasy disconnecting, remember that you do that every day.

Think about how you go to sleep daily and things are still fine when you wake up. That’s 5 to 8 hours of not being connected right there.

Don't worry about missing out on things when you go offline. 

Get away from your desk.

If you want, get a change in environment. I enjoy working in quiet cafes, my living room, and recently, I'm trying out quiet spots in my neighborhood. I realize different environments trigger different ideas and these are helpful for my work. 

Work on your priorities during the break.

This is a great time to read the books you’ve been meaning to read, work on those Quadrant 2 goals, brainstorm on ideas, and think about the long-term plans you've been putting off. It can be that upcoming vacation plan, your goals for the next 3 months, some pending issues that need to be addressed or the big project that’s coming up.

Go with the flow.

Since there are no distractions, you'll find ideas emerging readily. Explore each of them. Chances are you’ll get some really amazing ideas that you’ve never considered before.

Some of my biggest breakthrough ideas come when I'm away from the web. For example, last week, I got a great idea for my next book. I came up with the outline and content idea during a 30-minute break. 

Wrap up with clear action steps.

After you are done, pen down your next steps before you get back online. This way, you’ll be going in with a clearer direction on what to do next. You might get bombarded with other messages when you go online, but follow this list to a tee and you'll be fine.

Do this whenever you feel the need to disconnect and you’ll see a great boost in your quality of life and life satisfaction. I’m now doing it several times a day, and I find that it’s extremely helpful in focusing on what I want to do. This leads a great jump in my productivity and fulfillment.

Written by Celestine Chua. Celestine writes at Personal Excellence, where she shares her best advice on how to achieve personal excellence and live your best life. Get her RSS feed directly and add her on Twitter @celestinechua.