Can you imagine daily life without your tablet? How about without having your laptop computer or smartphone? How about a day without an online game of Words with Friends? Technology has dramatically changed our everyday life. We now get our news online, connect with friends through social media sites, and count on GPS-equipped smart phones to find that new Asian restaurant and get back to our homes. But does there come a time to shut down all of this tech? A recent story by the New York Times suggests that switching off the phones, tablets and laptops — at least once in a while — could make us more productive people.
Surprising agreement
The answer, according to the Times: Yes. And the notion of a tech break has some unlikely supporters: high-use tech fans. By way of example, the Times profiles a former Twitter employee who, while writing a book, found that he struggled to concentrate amid the constant ringing and beeping of his iPhone. So the author took the big step of ditching his tech. The result? His productivity, and creativity, dramatically improved.
Growing support
This techie is far from alone. The author of the Times column shines a spotlight on himself. Today, when he and his buddies get together for dinner, they immediately toss their smartphones in the middle of the table. The first person who reaches for a phone has to pay the price: That person picks up the tab for dinner.
What about you?
Is it your turn to follow these examples? Do you need to take a technology break? Take a look at your days: Do you spend hours fiddling with Words with Friends or Angry Birds? Can you pass an hour without logging into Facebook? Do you text more than you talk? If so, you, too, might benefit from a technology break. And you might be surprised at how productive you can be.