Seems like ages since I deleted my WhatsApp account and said farewell to Facebook, especially due to the amount of work I was able to accomplish. Who would have thunk it?
The Addiction Was Real
Over the last few months I found myself constantly checking my phone and computer, which in itself is not strange.
However, when I started to imagine hearing the notification sounds, and the only reason to open the app was to scroll, then close it, I knew I had a problem.
It’s Only A Few Minutes
Of course I justified my frequent trips to view my accounts as only a few minutes, but there were two things I had not considered.
- The minutes add up – A few minutes here and there, comes up to an hour or two of time wasted over the course of each day.
- Lost of momentum – A 10 minute break during the day, can cost you over an hour trying to regain a train of thought, or zeal to complete a task.
Regardless of how I had justified it in the past, the reality was, I had become more or less a slave to tools, which had long deviated from their intended purposes.
Unexpected Results OF Extreme Actions
I quit “cold turkey”! I know it was a bit extreme and I won’t suggest it for anyone, but I needed to get a lot done, and these accounts were getting in my way. So, I deleted them!
The original plan was to take a month off, so I could work on my projects. Not only did I complete more than anticipated, but in record time.
Each Tool Has Its Place In My Toolbox
My hiatus from social media has given me a new perspective on its use and value to my business. Social Media and other communication apps are only tools, no need to fear them, just have to use them wisely.
“It’s best to have your tools with you. If you don’t, you’re apt to find something you didn’t expect and get discouraged.”
Stephen King
Now that I am back on track, I now have a few more things to put in place. Especially where non-business interactions are concerned.
My Biggest Take Away From This Experience
Face to face interactions trumps social media any day! Strangely enough I did not miss social media, since, to me, the quality of interaction via those platforms has plummeted over the last few years. Too many distractions!
I prefer to spend an hour talking to someone face to face, than to read a status update, or series of monotonous abbreviated chat cycles. Call me old fashion, but that’s just who I am.
Moving forward, I will be using these tools for what they were intended, but focusing on creating opportunities for more quality interactions, both online and off.