What do you do when you get home from work? Plop in front of the TV, or even worse, in front of the computer for a few more hours? Technology that is meant to make our lives easier is actually zapping our energy. Are you really making the most of your spare time?

The concept of ‘downtime’ is an old term that comes from the inactive time during which production is stopped. It then became a term used to describe when one was not working on the job.

I believe that downtime should now refer to the time we put our gadgets down. Too much time is spent glued to our technology, distracted and unengaged with our environment and ourselves. We need to start scheduling in proper downtime that can help to re-energise, re-vitalise and re-focus on what is important.

You don’t have to be plugged into technology 24/7. Can you commit to putting aside even just an hour to being completely unplugged? If the idea of unplugging for an hour makes you anxious, I think you need to reevaluate your priorities and work/life balance. Remember hobbies? Do things that you enjoy at least once a week; schedule this in. Doing this will bring more joy into your life. Too often, people do not do the things they enjoy because surfing the web takes less energy.

Get up, get out and do the things you enjoy.

Visit the STTS page to find out more about Shirley’s work.

_{© 2016 Shirley Taylor.
Shirley Taylor is a recognised leading authority on business writing and communication skills. For almost 30 years she has presented keynotes and training programmes that help people and organisations boost communication skills and develop great relationships both orally and in writing. Shirley is bestselling author of 12 books, including Model Business Letters, Emails and Other Business Documents, which has sold half a million copies worldwide and has been translated into many languages. If you would like Shirley to speak at your next event, visit www.shirleytaylor.com.}
Edited by Nedda Chaplin
Image credit: Photographer from Shutterstock

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