Are smartphones really making us smarter or are they making us dumber and more distracted? Distracted driving has overtaken drunk driving as the number one cause of accidents, including walking in to telephone poles. It is not unusual to go to a restaurant or coffee shop and see a group of people sitting together but all on their phones. Are they texting each other instead of talking?
Our Internet connected devices are fraught with distracting rabbit holes. You pick up your device to check the weather or send a text and twenty minutes later you're watching cat videos. Reading the endless string of articles dissecting the latest example of democratic dysfunction isn't much better. At the end of the day, the day has ended and what do you have to show for it?
The Internet is a powerful tool, a seemingly endless resource of information to inform and inspire. Social media provides a forum for anyone to share their ideas, their art and make connections beyond their immediate physical community. The danger is in allowing it to control you as opposed to manipulating your access to serve your purpose.
I'm working on better managing my online access and interaction to support my creative enterprise. Using a pen and paper journal to formulate ideas and carrying out actions in the absence of devices with distracting alerts and notifications. Building a social media presence but keeping it compartmentalized and focused. Most importantly, and sometimes most difficult, not allowing my smart devices to become a distraction from my awareness of the moment and real social engagement. It's a work in progress.
I'd love to hear how you manage digital distraction in your day.