Unplug, Tune Out and Turn On
Imagine one day a week with no computer, no smart phones, no email, no Facebook, no Twitter…
In our digital society, rest, may be the most over looked concept of our generation. More than anytime previously in history we are constantly accessible or plugged-in to work, our friends, and colleagues. This is true for most regardless whether we are at the office or home. We all know that it is not uncommon to check email, twitter or FB on the Berry or iPhone while at the kids baseball game, which takes our focus away from being in the moment. It is also common to check email and put in an additional hour or so of work after the kids are in bed or after the evening activities family activities have concluded. This results in a constant high level of stress and unrest given our electric device are visually and mentally stimulating leaving us wired.
Solution? Unplug, take a weekly 24 hour “Techno No Fly Zone”? Meaning “Turn it all off.” I know this is unthinkable for some. But if is, then you likely need the down time the most. I would suggest Sunday because that is the when most people would expect to get the fewest calls, text, tweets, or emails. But, you can pick whatever day works best for your schedule. Believe it or not the world will be there when you plug back in and you may find you are not missed as much as you might have thought. And, if you were then just handle whatever crisis emerged a few hours later than you might have otherwise. It is very doubtful that anyone will notice the difference. However, you will notice. There is a significant benefit to such a discipline. You will sleep better after a day being unplugged and when you do re-engage you will notice your creative intuition is back. After just a brief break you will find that you are less scattered and can again focus on individual tasks with greater clarity and creativity.
Of course, this concept is not new and it is actually biblical. Really biblical as in Old Testament, Ten Commandments biblical. The Old Testament Law of “Keep the Sabbath Holy” is not just a suggestion, its a commandment. Seriously, if God needed a break on the Seventh day, how is it we think we don’t. It will most likely feel uncomfortable at first, it did to me. But after a few weeks you will find, as I did, that you will actually look forward to the break. Give it a try! Recharge YOUR battery.
