The Offline Manifest
Why is it a good idea to take an Internet sabbatical?
Cal Newport, in his 2016 book Deep Work, argues that we should implement a sabbatical from internet usage or drastically reduce our social media consumption. He notes that these tools aren't inherently bad; many people have made a living and found purpose through them.
So, what is the underlying motive?
Our brains constantly seek quick rewards or easy exits when working on complex tasks. This makes us prone to distraction and reduces our attention spans. With mobile phones in hand, we browse social media every few minutes, which is counterproductive. This harmful habit prevents us from accomplishing meaningful work that requires extended periods of concentration.
The importance of engaging in long periods of deep concentration lies in the fact that only in this mental state can we produce work on challenging topics that give us a sense of purpose and, ultimately, happiness.
What techniques do I use?
For this purpose, I use a simple strategy. Several months ago, I turned off all push notifications on my phone and in my MS Teams channel. These actions prevent distractions and the urge to check the latest updates. For those who need to be constantly available, I recommend allowing only traditional SMS and phone calls through this "filter." The most important contacts will have access to you, and if they need to share something, they will take the time to talk to you directly.
Blocking your calendar with deep concentration periods throughout the week to work on activities aligned with your meaningful goals also yields tremendous results. I challenge you to try it!
Bibliography
Newport, Cal (2016). Deep Work: A concentração máxima num mundo de distrações. Actual Editora.