Keep Technology From Destroying Your Creativity
I’m sure you’ve sat down at the computer before, one simple, five-minute task in mind, only to come out of a groggy internet fog an hour later with your kids clamoring for attention. Your task may not even be finished and, even worse, the precious few moments of down time you had are now gone. You want more time for creativity, and you need to use the internet simply to get life done, but it’s such a distraction! As technology permeates ever more corners of our lives are we allowing it to be a creative drain?
Recently I was starting to feel lousy and unable to focus. I knew needed some limits around technology, but “don’t use the computer or phone” wouldn’t work. Eventually, I realized, it’s pretty simple. I just need one question to keep technology from destroying my creativity:
- What is my intention? Every time I go to look at a screen I *try to* stop myself to ask this. And I cringe to admit, I have found myself answering things like: “I’m bored.” Or “…Uhhh, I don’t know…” Oh my gosh! I crave time to myself and I am fiddling it away when I have it!
By asking myself what my intention is, I better utilize my time online. I know I have a tendency to get distracted, so sometimes I’ll write down my intention to help keep me focused. When my intention is something like “socializing” or,“finding kids’ activities,” I try to remember to look at the clock before I begin and give myself the amount of time I can afford to give.
Technology can foster incredible creative work, inspiring connections, and support networks that you simply cannot find locally. It can also be a time suck and creative drain, but it doesn’t have to be. Keep asking, “What is my intention?” and you’ll find more time to allow your creativity to shine.
64 Positive Things to Say to Kids
Subscribe to Download your FREE printable of 64 Positive Things to Say to Kids
So true – for example it was not my intention to read your post (no offense please). I call it the “getting sucked into the black hole” of the computer. I am thinking of starting a to do list for when I sit down at the computer and stick with it.
I love this! What a GREAT way to keep your focus in a place where you can literally get lost in mindless distraction. Can’t wait to read more of your posts!
Totally agree with you and of course the irony is being online to read/reply to it all. I also have to make sure now that I started my own blog (yesterday) after being inspired by all of you creative ones out there that I don’t lose that balance. So I will do my best to do blog stuff only when my 2 yo is sleeping (nap or evening). I’m sure I will not always be good but I will try my best 🙂
Hope it works out well for you too 🙂
Great message, Alissa! And where else would you post this sort of message? Anyone that needs to read it will be online fiddling away their time 😉 This is a great post with a fantastic idea! I’ll definitely start asking myself my intention. I can see that being helpful. Thank you for sharing.
Jeanne, I know- I often find it a bit ironic that my primary means of communicating messages like this is the computer. Then again, it’s wonderful that we have this medium for communicating and learning, we just have to find ways to fit it all together so we can live a fulfilling life- online and off.
You hit on one of my favorite words I use with new student-teachers : Intention. I agree with you that we need to step back from our laptops/phones/pads/gadgets and Just Be In Real Life more than we do. [ Ironically, of course, I can only reply to your post by being online 🙂 ] Cheers and Happy New Year!