I have a love hate relationship with technology.
On one hand, technology has enabled my productivity to advance at leaps and bounds, has improved my communication with colleagues, family, and long lost friends, and has entertained me on long runs and long flights. Auto-syncing cloud storage, software as a service, and all-in-one devices. I love the spirit of them all. Simplicity and efficiency!
But on the other hand, I am a big proponent of independence – and technology has created a dependency on a material object that leaves me in a constant state of personal conflict.
Blog – Pen and Paper
Technology helps me record my thoughts – it doesn’t help me think! Technology helps me document my creativity – it doesn’t help me be creative.
If I want the biggest bang for my buck, I simply turn off my device, and sit down in a quiet place with a pen and paper.
When I stop checking my phone every free moment, my mind opens. Pictures, words and creativity spills onto the paper. An airline flight, a park bench, and a quiet cafe in a new part of town are some of my most productive places to think and create.
I simply turn off my devices for a few hours and find an environment where my mind can wander freely. This photo is of my notes for the ALMA Wellness 2014 plan and consisted of org charts, marketing plans, writing schedules and more. It resulted after only 20 minutes on the tarmac in Shanghai and 30 minutes in the air.
For other suggestions on how to clear your mind and focus your attention, check out our previous blog posts entitled Reduce Stress by Reducing Clutter and Free Walking: The Art of Stress Management.