Mindful Life with Technology

• Technology is a tool, how you use it (to improve your life) and how you decide to let your life be controlled by it depends an you. Find your way.

• Use a timer to limit your time. E.g. schedule 15-30 minutes for reading and processing mails.

E-Mail

• Only check your mails 2-3 times a day (e.g. morning, afternoon) if possible.

• Don't open your mails first thing in the morning. If you want to get shit done, start it before reading your mails.

• Close your mail application, disable push notifications.

• Write short e-mails. Most often you don't need more than 5 sentences.

• If a mail conversations goes back and forth for a longer time period, just call the other person or schedule a meeting.

Notifications

• Make 'Disable Notifications' your default.

• Set your smartphone to airplane mode if you go to bed.

Software

• Stick with the software you are comfortable with, even if it is not the newest hot shit.

• If possible learn to use software that is useful for most of your life time and can be used in different areas. E.g. vim and LaTeX.

• Whether you are productive or not probably depends on your habits and discipline - and not on the software you use.

Apps for Mindfulness

• Headspace

Hardware

• Use your hardware until it breaks. Your smartphone is probably good for another 2-3 years.

Books

• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport