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Screen time certainly gets a bad rep and understandably though. The endless and mindless scrolling on social media, constant interruptions from notifications and Zoom meeting after Zoom meeting – the list goes on. But what are some tips to manage screen time when, well, after all our livelihood depends on the right amount of screen time?
Let’s start with the obvious, without screen time (aka computers) I couldn’t do my job. Or definitely not the way I do it today – in my remote office and podcast studio in Iowa. I work with people all over the country and even globally. That certainly wouldn’t be possible without screen time. Even marketers that are made to go to a corporate office are spending the majority of their time in front of their computer. The one they carried there from home nonetheless.
Everything a content marketer does is done on the computer:
- Content interviews
- Keyword research
- Writing
- Livestreaming
- The list goes on…
So how do we step away? Here are some tips to manage screen time:
Step away at times
Some people might say to step away every 45 minutes or so. I do that to an extend – usually to get another coffee, a water, etc. It feels like a natural break. Heck, I was going to get up anyway.
I also make it a point to build in actual breaks. For example, the beginning of my day might look like this:
- 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: Content creation sprint
- 9:30-10:30: Walk outside
- 10:30 back to the office
Find alternatives for tasks
Some things can certainly also be done in an analog setting. For example, I take notes on paper, sometimes I scribble to brainstorm and you definitely don’t need a computer to think about something.
Read next: What is time freedom, and why do companies need it?
Find a hobby
I like going to the gym, where yes, I still look at my phone as that’s where my workout app is. But I spend more staring at weights than the phone. Go on hikes or walks, or start running. Buy a bicycle.
Spend time with people
Make a point to eat dinner together(ish) as a family. I know that’s hard with busy schedules and whatnot, but try. Or breakfast. The point is to put the devices down and spend the time in the now. You got a whole day ahead of you (or behind you) looking at screens.
Enjoy your surroundings
People watching used to be way more popular I think at airports before phones. I still think that’s an interesting activity. Watching people get up, interact and whatnot. Sitting somewhere nice or driving somewhere interesting (as a passenger) enjoy the view.
Silence your phone
There’s no reason in many cases that phones make sounds for every notification, text and maybe even phone call. When I was traveling back to the United States form Europe I had picked up my phone 100-some times in just eight hours. Whoa, there certainly is room to lower that number – granted I used it for navigations, Ubers in Duesseldorf and other travel tasks as well.
Yes, there are apps to restrict screen time and maybe potentially they work for kids, but for professionals, whose livelihood is tied to sitting in front of screens, we have to be a bit more self-control and planning.
With the right mindset and discipline, it’s possible.
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