When we schedule these breaks they allow us to be fully present in the moment, to even go back to paper and pen to write, or have a physical copy of a book in our hands. We must schedule strategic times away from technology. It is not wise to stay constantly connected and powered on. Your TV doesn't stay on 24/7, neither do the lights connected with your smartphone. Even your phone needs to be shut down from time to time, or updated, or plugged in. Our world is attempting to be wired that way, but it doesn't work. We are not created to be constantly connected 24/7. Schedule periodic breaks from technology. Here are three ways to change your relationship with technology that I gathered from this book.ġ. How can we be good stewards of our time but also good stewards of the technology around us? Newport doesn't say get rid of all technology, but have a healthy relationship with it. This book is an absolute must read for every leader, especially the biblical-minded leader. Then I read Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport and my eyes were opened even more. My relationship with technology is worse than I wanted to admit. These are telling statistics, and they have no vested interest in the answer. This was made very clear to me when I set up my iPhone to track my screen time, to shut down certain apps after a specific time limit, and when I looked at my “pickups” on a daily basis, including the first pickup and the total pickups throughout the day.

Technology is something we are not getting away from and it will only grow more pervasive as time goes on.įirst, we acknowledge that our relationship with technology is probably worse than we would like to admit. It knows your browser history, hours spent playing games or browsing certain apps. It knows how many times you pick it up to use it while you're awake. I think technology is kind of like Santa Claus in its pervasive nature in our lives. Especially the verse that talks about Santa seeing you when you’re sleeping, knowing when you’re awake and knowing if you've been bad or good.

“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” can be a pretty awkward song if you really look at the lyrics.

Digital minimalism review