Don't worry, I'm not dead, I just quit social media!
Did you miss me? Did you know even know that I went missing?
5 months ago I decided to embark on an experiment. I decided to quit social media. That's right, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, and blogging on my site. I've kept the occasional eye on Facebook, but that's about it. Over the period, a whole 2 people asked me where I'd gone, so at least I know I was missed a little.
So why did I do it? A number of reasons.
1. I wanted to attempt to eliminate any anxiety issues I had with regard to social comparison. Facebook was encouraging me to constantly check my own view of myself against others, which in my head did not feel healthy. Viewing Linkedin was pressuring me to be "as good as" other people and other businesses.
2. It felt a constant distraction, and was pulling me back in (even though I disable all notifciations). Linkedin expecially was taking me down rabbit holes, to keep up with "what's going on out there"
3. I wanted to focus on completing, launching, and delivering my Productive Hero Academy to really impact people in their work, and make a difference. Writing a few free blog posts for people to snack on I felt wasn't going to change the world, neither was reacting to and commenting on others posts
4. I wanted to see if business would increase or decrease. (Yes this was a risky one)
5. I teach people how to avoid their attention being stolen, so I was feeling a little hypocritical by attempting to steal theirs, by saying "hey look at me", or "hey look at this" in their social media feeds.
6. I wanted to see if it was a more enjoyable experience living more in the physical world
The Results
So what were the results of my experiment, and what can I reflect on and share?
There is a life outside the digital world, I've been out there interacting with real people, delivering productivity workshops to help them be better. I've been to concerts, games clubs, spent time walking, reading books, listening to vinyl records, and more time with the family. I've spent time with friends finding out what they've been up to, and enjoying the surprise, rather than "Yes I know I've seen it on Facebook"
Business is definitely busier with plenty of workshops booked in for the next 6 months, which I hope is a reflection of better off-line connections.
I feel a lot more freer in myself. I think more about my own journey in life and not having to always "follow" someone else's that takes me where I don't want to be.
I have a lot more thinking time, which is something very few of us get or make time to do. Which ironically makes me get more done, as I make better decisions through better clarity.
So what do I do now, now I've raised my head above the water again. My thoughts are to continue dipping into Facebook occasionally, especially to see what family have been up to. I'll restart blogging again, but just posting onto Linkedin/Twitter as and when I feel I can add some real value to peoples onscreen time.
Wishing you a wonderful 2019.
Jamie