Turn notifications OFF

Every new app and website we visit asks the same question: "do you want to activate notifications?" The options come next: for news, for offers, for purchases, for chats. To your e-mail, through messages, or pushed directly to your device. Allow them all, or even a number of them, and you will soon find yourself flooded by pings and buzzes calling for you 24/7.

The currency of social media is your attention. Ultimately, all these digital service providers are after your time. They deploy different strategies to keep you looking at your screen, from presenting their content and tools as games where you lose points if you don't "play" every day, to linking themselves with notions like friendship or responsibility, so you feel guilty if you are not available at all hours.

The truth is that you are the owner of your time, and you are under no obligation of giving any part of it to the internet. As the companies behind social media and online platforms are actively seeking your attention, it is better if you are equally proactive in setting boundaries.

Here are some ideas:

• Turn all non-essential notifications off, and set up a silent/night mode on your devices, so there are moments of the day when no notification at all can make it through.
• Close tabs and apps after you are done using them, so they don't distract you the next time you look at your device.
• Establish a schedule or use a limiting tool that locks you out of your browser or device after a certain amount of time.
• Take devices out of living spaces like the dining table or the bedroom.

This matter goes beyond productivity and enters the realm of self-care and personal wellbeing. So, even if that means you will take a little more time reading the blog posts here at Success Beyond the Score, turn those notifications off!