7 ways to be the master instead of the slave of technology

I know it’s shocking, but imagine this: 

People lived for thousands of years WITHOUT cell phones, iPads, X/Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, etc. and actually survived. Many of the survivors even managed to live happy, fulfilling lives! :) 

If you use one or more technologies on a daily basis, you know their benefits and you’ve probably felt their costs as well, especially how distracting they can be.

I don’t suggest you throw them all away. I’m actually thankful for the technology that’s allowing you to read this message right now! But...

Ask yourself, "Do I own my device, or does it own me?"

How many times a day do you check for messages, texts, emails, responses, etc.? Do you feel angry, lost or anxious if your service is down temporarily? Consider, are you being the master of technology or its slave?

I invite you to be the master of technology. Here are a few suggestions how:

1. Seek out face-to-face connections too. If you’re waiting for a meeting to start, how about putting down your smart phone and starting a friendly conversation with your colleague who is also waiting? This is how relationships are built. Or if your children are in a performance at school, consider watching and absorbing the proud moment directly too, and not just through the lens of your camera.

2. Check text, e-mail and social media once or a limited number of times a day. Consider the time and energy you spend to take your attention away from whatever you're doing, then pay attention to text / e-mail / social media, then bring back your attention and get in the zone again of what you're doing. If you bundle checking text / email / social media together, you become much more focused, efficient and productive. In the New York Times bestselling book The 4-Hour Workweek, successful author Timothy Ferriss says he checks e-mail only once a week!

3. Practice "conscious viewing", coined by psychologist and media expert Dr. Nancy Mramor whom I had the honor of interviewing on my show on KMET ABC Radio. Conscious viewing means to observe the effects of what you are viewing on your mind and body. Become aware of the intention or message that is being conveyed. Be mindful of what you choose to watch.

4. "Filter" what your view / hear. Once you're consciously viewing, it's important that you choose to agree or disagree with the messages coming your way. There's valuable messages and garbage out there, and sometimes it's mixed up together like a salad. So agree with 0%, 100% or any percentage in between of what you view / hear. Guard your mind and senses. Take what works and leave out the rest. I call this "filtering". Please make sure to teach your kids about this and protect them too!

5. Take a break from all electronic devices one day a week and/or a few hours a day. My wife, kids and I do this one day a week or more often, and it's fabulous! Just like your devices need to recharge, so do you. This is very liberating. It gives you time and energy to focus on what many consider truly important: health, spirituality, family, friends and anything else important to you.

6. Act instead of being acted upon. A lot of times, we're just reacting to the calls, texts, e-mails that come our way, even if the timing is not optimal for us. Instead, be in the driver's seat. You don't have to answer every call. It's ok if people leave a voicemail and you call them back when it works for you. Here's another example: I've mostly deactivated texting on my cell phone! Are you still breathing? You read that right. My family, friends and clients either call or e-mail me. They've adjusted. It simplifies my life and I love it. Though we still do use texting for Dreamality seminars, which can be quite effective. Now that's my personal choice and you can choose differently. The point is to use technology by design, in a way that works for you.

7. Keep your devices out of the bedroom when sleeping. Many health experts say that sleeping with your phone within reach can disrupt your sleep cycle and stimulate your mind when you want to rest. Before you go to bed, put your devices in another room. Preferably turn them off, to save electricity and to signal to your mind to turn off too. You don't need to sleep with your technology. You’ll sleep better and feel more refreshed in the morning.

Importantly, remember to enjoy your real life – not just the one on social media! :)

All my best,

Arjang Abraham Zendehdel
Founder and Head Trainer of Dreamality Education & Coaching
Radio Talk Show Host at KMET ABC Radio 1490 AM / 98.1 FM