Embracing the Tech Detox: Day 2 of the Unplugged Challenge
The Power of a Time Audit
Amy starts the podcast by emphasizing the importance of conducting a thorough time audit. A time audit isn't about passing judgment but rather about approaching your daily routines with curiosity. For entrepreneurs, this practice can be particularly eye-opening. Discovering how much time one spends on social media, for instance, can be startling but enlightening. The time audit serves as a mirror, reflecting habits that may otherwise remain hidden.
The Unplug Challenge: Why It's Essential
Day 2 of the challenge introduces a concept that, while daunting, is transformative: The Tech Detox. Amy acknowledges the immediate resistance many entrepreneurs might feel at the thought of unplugging. After all, business operations often revolve around constant connectivity. Yet, she reassures listeners that moments of unplugging do not equate to neglecting responsibilities.
The rationale behind a tech detox is simple yet powerful: silence the external noise to reconnect with oneself. By stepping away from the digital cacophony, we can recalibrate our focus, prioritize effectively, and rejuvenate our mental and emotional well-being.
How to Execute a Tech Detox
Amy provides practical steps to help listeners execute a tech detox. The instructions are clear and actionable:
1. Delete Social Media Apps: For a complete detox, delete apps like Facebook, Instagram, and X from your phone.
2. Remove Email Access: Take the extra step to remove work-related email apps.
3. Move Apps to Another Screen: If deletion feels too drastic, move apps to a different phone screen to create a physical barrier that fosters awareness.
These actions are designed to break habitual behaviors and make conscious choices about when and how to engage with technology.
The Habitual Nature of Connectivity
Disconnecting from technology is easier said than done. Amy admits that she, too, found herself instinctively reaching for her phone during her initial detox weekend.
This habitual nature is a testament to how deeply ingrained our digital behaviors are. However, with consistent practice, the impulse to reach for one's phone diminishes, replaced by a more intentional use of technology.
Reclaiming the Present Moment
The core objective of the tech detox is to reclaim the present moment. By quieting the noise around us, we can reset our nervous systems and focus on what truly matters. This mindfulness helps combat the cycle of external validation—a relentless pursuit of likes, comments, and engagements—and replaces it with a sense of self-worth rooted in internal validation.
Uncovering Your 'Why'
To augment the unplug experience, Amy suggests an introspective exercise found on page eight of the challenge workbook: uncovering your 'why.' This exercise, inspired by Dr. Jordan Peterson, delves deep into the motivations behind our desires and goals. By continuously asking "why," we peel away superficial layers to uncover core values and passions that propel us forward, especially during challenging times.
The Dual Edge of Entrepreneurial Flexibility
Being an entrepreneur offers unparalleled flexibility, but it can also be a double-edged sword. Without the structured accountability of a nine-to-five job, staying consistent can be difficult. Amy draws a powerful parallel, reminding us that in a traditional job, showing up is non-negotiable, even when conditions are less than ideal.
The Road Ahead
Amy closes the podcast with a promise for Day 3: the introduction of a "daily power hour." This strategy will help entrepreneurs regain control of their business through focused use of time and energy, underscoring the need for a strategic rather than a scattershot approach to daily tasks.
Conclusion
The journey to unplugging isn't easy, but it is undeniably worthwhile. Through a tech detox, time audits, and introspective exercises, entrepreneurs have a unique opportunity to reset their focus, prioritize their well-being, and ultimately craft a life and business that align with their deepest values.
Episode Links
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Transcript for Episode 347. The Unplugged Challenge Day Two: Refocus
Amy [00:00:11]:
How is your time audit going? Have you been surprised by some of the things that you're starting to see? The key with the time audit is approaching it from a mindset of curiosity. Your job is not to judge yourself. I don't want you beating yourself up when you see, oh, my gosh, I'm spending that much time on social media. This can be very triggering for so many entrepreneurs. But your job is to approach it from a lens of curiosity, because curiosity will help you gain that clarity. And if you are just hearing this for the first time, welcome in. Today is day two of the unplugged challenge, a three day challenge for entrepreneurs to help you reset, refocus, and regain control of your business. If you have not joined us already, make sure you head over to amytraw.com unplugged to join so that you get access to our course workbook and all of our awesome emails that come along with this material.
Amy [00:01:17]:
Today is day two, and I think that this day is one of the most challenging, yet most powerful resources that I am going to teach you. And it's not easy, but this one thing, this one thing has changed my life, and I know it will change your life as well. And do you want to know what it is? It's taking the time to unplug. It is taking the time to unplug from all of the noise around us. And I get it. You're thinking, I can't do that. How in the heck can I do that? I run my business from my phone. How can I unplug, friend, I get it.
Amy [00:02:01]:
I was there, too. But here's the thing. You're not a surgeon. This is not an emergency. We're forgetting our priorities in life. Yes, our business is important. Yes, we want to serve our clients to the best of our ability. But at the end of the day, you need to be okay.
Amy [00:02:22]:
Remember the saying, you can't pour from an empty cup? Well, it's true. It is so true. But we need to quiet the noise around us. And we do this through a tech detox. We unplug. We disconnect. In order to quiet the noise and reconnect with ourselves, I encourage you, over the next weekend, do this during the weekend, not during the week. I want you to unplug from social media.
Amy [00:02:51]:
Amy [00:03:30]:
It happens, and it still happens to me. This is something I've actually gotten into the habit of doing every single weekend. Now because of the power of it. That first weekend, I cannot tell you how many times I picked up my phone. I'm like, I'm an unplugged from social. And what would I do? I'd pick up my phone without even realizing it, go, oh, no. And I have to put it back down real quick. So if that starts to happen to you, please know that you're not alone.
Amy [00:03:57]:
Like this is going to happen. It's not a matter of if it will, it will happen. But the more you do it, the easier it will get. Because you realize that the most important thing in life is being where your feet are, being where you're at in this present moment, right here, right now. And what this does is it just allows you to calm down your nervous system, to reset and refocus and figure out what it is that you want to end this vicious cycle of external validation, chasing these hits of dopamine by seeing how many likes, comments, engagements, all of the things that we're searching for. Because at the end of the day, it comes down to deeming ourselves worthy, not judging ourselves for those goals that we have. No big matter how big or audacious they feel. Giving ourselves permission to live a life that we love because we only get one shot, one shot at this life.
Amy [00:05:09]:
And to take it a step farther, I encourage you to do an exercise while you're unplugged. And this can be found on page eight of your workbook. And this is uncovering your why we know what you want, but why do you want this? And this can be tricky to figure out. A this exercise. I talk about it in my book, the CEO method, an entrepreneur's guide to business success. This exercise was developed originally by doctor Jordan Peterson. And what we're doing is we're unpacking why. A lot of times as entrepreneurs, we say, you know, I want this.
Amy [00:05:50]:
I want a life of freedom and flexibility. Okay, that's awesome, but why do you want it? Okay, I want this life of freedom and flexibility because I want to be present for my kids. Okay, well, why is that important to you? And what you do is keep asking yourself, why be like a toddler? You know how they're constantly going, why, why, why? That's what we're doing here. We're getting down to those core desires deep down in our soul. Because your why is what is going to propel you forward on those days where you're tempted to quit? Because they happen. They happen to every single one of us. I don't care how successful that someone is. If someone has told you, oh, I've never been tempted to quit.
Amy [00:06:42]:
I call b's on that because we've all been there. Being an entrepreneur is challenging, but you have the solution to someone's problem, so it is your responsibility to share it. And in order to stand out in the sea of sameness, you need to release yourself from the pressures to do things a certain way. We need you and your solution. The flexibility that we have as entrepreneurs is such a blessing and such a curse at the same time. It really, truly is. It's hard to stay consistent when life is lifeing. But think about it this way, if you were still in your nine to five, you would be expected to show up.
Amy [00:07:26]:
You would be expected to show up on the days where you didn't feel like it. On the days where life was life and things were hard. This is hard. Let's not sugarcoat it. But when you know why, that will help you stay disciplined. That will help you keep moving forward. And tomorrow, I'm going to share with you how to design a daily power hour, 1 hour a day, to help you regain control of your business through focused use of time and energy. You don't need to be doing all of the things all of the time, friend.
Amy [00:08:13]:
We need a strategic approach to it. So this weekend, I want you to schedule it on your calendar. Take the time to do a tech detox to unplug. Will it be easy? No. Will it be worth it? Absolutely, it will. And until next time, cheers to making the money you want so you can create the impact you desire.
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