Universal Notebook

So, just over a week using a basic hand set but began to miss a number of functions from my smart phone (HTC cha cha). 

• -camera and photo editor
• -tumblr upload
• -twitter
• -MP3
• -GPS
• -Mobile evernote.

Like a guilty crack head blowing an Alsatian for a dog biscuit I re-booted my smart phone. However, in its absence I came to realised I have more control over my use of the internet than I gave myself credit for. 

With my aim to minimise my distractions I found myself carrying a separate note book, mp3, camera and mobile hand set I seemed a bit laden down with stuff. I understand with any change there is a bit of trade off, but this seemed a bit drastic and impractical. 

Over the past week I now have set up good routines for internet activity using my laptop using stayfocusd on Google chrome. This showed me I only need to access site such as facebook and twitter for a maximum of 20 mins a day. I also find that my laptop does useful things without access to the internet. With this in mind, could the same regulation be use to maximise the creative use of a smart phone while dealing with the need of valuation from social network sites and email. 

Set aside an hour a day to and restrict bulk email and social network activity to laptop/pc.

Doing this mean you actually have something to check rather than hoping that some one has emailed or liked that post or blog. Also, your attention is more focused on the day in hand, that thing in front of you that want it or not needs attention. Additionally, your social networks will learn that you are actually taking time to focus what they have sent you, rather than that fleeting reply while sat on the shitter. 

Uninstall unnecessary apps on the smart phone.

Look at what is actually used on the phone, what is needed. Removing apps will speed up the hardware providing more resource on the device to do what you need it to. 

Turn auto syncing and notifications off.

This will reduce distraction and save battery. Most essential apps will sync on opening if not having to tap a manual sync button is not that strenuous. 

Leave Smart phone behind.

Try to spend time without the device e.g. leaving it at home when out or in another room when needing some disconnection time at home. If anything is important people will leave a message or god forbid actually visits you. 

This list is not exhaustive and may not fit everyone. Additionally, you may come up with some other great tips, if so please leave a comment. 

Do I feel I have broken my addiction? In a word no. As for me I was not addicted I just found myself at a point in my life where I needed distraction and valuation as was not getting from certain areas of my world. I feel this is a question we all must ask from time to time. What I have accomplished is a fresh recognition on how to focus my use of technology to help me create and grow as a human being. 

We have to remember we are not machines, and don’t need machines to connect, however this does not mean we have to deny technology for humanity we just have to be techno-telligent (copyright) and create a social awareness that we control technology rather than it control us. 

It is time for me to disconnect from the superhighway and control where my information and validations are coming from. Maybe start meeting more people in person like I did in the old days or god forbid make a phone call. 

First thing I installed was the Google chrome extension “Stayfocusd”. It is a useful tool for all procrastinators out there. It blocks sites of your choosing allow you to set a daily time limit on using them. Also you can set up a challenge to prevent you from cheating.

 With procrastination on laptop now dealt with I found this great program called “Dark Room” that is a green on black text editor. This is an great tool for writing, just focusing on text without buttons and bells that can create distractions. This is my first blog written with it, it works.

This not only helps me concentrate more on what I am writing but is good for my dyslexia as the high contrast text is easier to see on the screen.

Last but not least, I am weaning myself of the smart phone and gone back to a basic mobile which allows only calls and texts. I enjoyed using the smart phone but found myself checking email and social networks on every out breath. In addition to this I noticed that half my focus was on the internet during the day even when having conversations with other real people.

 Next time you go to the pub watch what groups of people do as soon as they sit down with their pint. I guarantee the Smartphone comes out. Why, do we feel the need to check our phone when in actual human company?

We all live in a voluminous world of information and connectivity, unfortunately society does not know how to measure the use of these tools and things have got to the point where most of us think it is normal to live on the internet. 

 For me I have made an active decision to measure and control what goes into my head rather than it being spewed out at me from the mobile, laptop or other media. This will provide me the time to focus on what I value is important in my life and maybe allow me to actually create something of worth in this world.

I feel this blog is a bit of a confession but it need to be said as I am at a big fork in the road, feeling the need to strip back to who I really am, not what I create on line. I still am very pro-technology and will still be around on email and social networks as they are great tools for connecting with people and finding inspiration. As with everything in this world it all has to be taken in moderation.  This is I have forgot so time to…………..