Leadership Learning Pathway: Digital Distractions Workshop

I highly recommend this 90-min interactive workshop, even if you feel you have a healthy and well-balanced relationship with your digital world, you will gain something. Ulrik leads the session with enthusiasm and a wealth of knowledge, providing a platform for you to reflect on your relationship with your digital world and offering tools to combat your individual concerns. I loved the use of Miro as the interactive platform and now find myself listening to the Jeopardy theme song whilst working (yes, I know this is bizarre!). 

Overall, the workshop has helped me to develop a tool box of skills and implement free device-embedded (and external) applications to reduce digital distractions relevant to me. Examples of the changes I have noted include the reduction in the amount of time I spend on my phone throughout the day: I no longer reach to open every notification, and rather have time where I can scroll and be present with my WhatsApp conversations, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn etc. One of the main applications I’ve implemented into my day-to-day working life, and one which I learned about in the workshop, is Flora. The application allows you to set a timer for the amount of focus time you need (anything from 5 mins to hours). Once the timer has been set and started, a virtual tree starts to grow (sometimes it can be a blueberry or an avocado!). If anything interrupts this process (i.e. moving out of this application on your phone), the tree will die. Whilst this sounds extreme, it has been so effective in creating focus and ‘deep work’ sessions for myself. You can also have friends join your ‘tree-growing room’ (disclaimer: if they interrupt their timer, your tree dies). I’ve also started adjusting settings such as Screen Timer and Grey Scale and using different applications like Momentum on my laptop and iPad. These have been hugely effective in increasing my productivity and increasing my presence in workshops, training, talks, or when I need to complete an important task.

Our digital devices bring a lot of ‘good’ into our lives, but they also come with heaps of ‘bad.’ This workshop allows you to reflect on your relationship with your digital devices, rather than removing them from your life (arguably not feasible), you will learn and develop ways to combat the negative by enhancing focus and productivity. Ironically, you use the device(s) to help you do this.

Sign up – you won’t regret it!

Department Members can see a full overview of the courses this term and sign up on the Canvas page (you need to be self-enrolled to the LLP to access Canvas).