Photo by Baskyes

Some days it seems like I spend all my day hooked up to some kind of technology – computer, TV, smartphone…

How can you stop technology from taking over your life?

Do things without technology at least sometimes

• I use an online program for my master to do list and calendar, but for my daily list I like a notebook and pen
• Journal in a notebook instead of a computer program
• Read a novel instead of an e-book
• Write a letter instead of an email
• Make a phone call instead of texting back and forth

Declare no technology zones

• Have a day a week where you don’t check email. Let people know if there is an emergency to call you because you don’t answer emails on Friday or Saturday or whatever day you choose
• Pick a time to shut off the computer, phone and/or turn off the TV. Make it at least an hour before bed so it doesn’t interfere with your sleep.
• Don’t answer the phone when you are out to dinner with friends or family
• Don’t check your email on vacation. Then it’s not really a vacation.

Before you get new technology…

• Do you have something that already does this?
• Is the faster technology worth what you are paying in price (think how many hours you will have to work for that)?
• Can you wait until the next upgrade to purchase?
• Do you need the more complicated version?

Taming technology

• Have only one email in box (I like gmail.com as it has a terrific search feature so you need less folders)
• Have only a few set times a day to process email
• Have set times to return phone messages
• Use an app like App Detox to limit and track your phone usage

Technology to help you simplify

• Use online banking
• Use money management programs like Quicken to keep you on top of your budget and finances
• Shop online – especially for the holiday (start at the beginning of November so everything is there on time)
• See if your library lets you put books on hold online.

Technology can be a good thing – but only if you set the rules and boundaries.