How do you use technology to support your work-life balance and well-being?

Draw the line between work and personal time (and make sure this is communicated to your teammates). Define specific notification rules depending on your focus (work, lunch, family time, self-care...) as this will clear your mind and let you be your most productive or simply enjoy the time off! Being mindful of your personal times is how people around you will understand your boundaries.

Technology is a great enabler for setting boundaries. Start with the basics: - do not disturb or silent mode - notifications acting as reminders to attend to yourself such as going out for a walk, stretch. - calendar management to have time clocks assigned to different aspects of your work, and your life.

We must determine the primary channel(s) to which the team will communicate. We cannot use WhatsApp, text, phone, Zoom, Teams, Slack all at once and expect people to not burn out. We must select 2-3 max and be consistent.

Establishing clear boundaries around technology usage is crucial for maintaining work-life balance and well-being. Designate specific times for work-related activities and personal time, and adhere to these boundaries consistently. Use features like "Do Not Disturb" mode on your devices during non-work hours to minimize interruptions. Additionally, consider setting boundaries on the types of notifications you receive and limit access to work-related apps or emails during designated personal time.

Limits between personal and professional lifes must be defined explicitly. Technology is of great help for putting it into practise: Disable notifications outside of work hours, automatically update your Slack/Teams status when you're off. Be aware of the apps on your phone (notifications can be disabled here too.)

As an advocate for the flexible workforce movement, I embrace technology's role in enabling an outcomes-driven approach that empowers knowledge workers with much-needed flexibility. This, however, is a privilege I recognize not everyone enjoys. In my own life, leveraging digital tools like project management apps and meeting platforms has been instrumental in managing my work-life balance, allowing me to work efficiently from anywhere at any time. Yet, this adaptability is part of a broader conversation about equitable access to such technologies across all job roles. It's a reminder of the ongoing work (that we need to lead) required to extend the benefits of flexible work practices to the wider labor force.

In today's fast-paced world, technology is a game-changer in achieving work-life balance. Here's how we leverage technology to enhance flexibility: Remote Work Enablement: Tools like video conferencing and cloud storage facilitate remote work, saving commute time. Asynchronous Collaboration: Platforms like Asana allow for asynchronous work, letting team members collaborate efficiently without being online simultaneously. Digital Wellness Tools: Apps that track wellness activities encourage a balanced lifestyle even amidst busy schedules. Embracing technology smartly can make our lives more flexible and less stressful, contributing significantly to overall well-being.

Automate tasks is a significant untapped way of saving time and create flexibility. Start by reviewing your tasks to identify where automation could help. Writing and sending emails, posting, follow-up with contacts. You can see if some tools can help you accordingly. The flexibility that technology provides is also based on how it enables you to have interactions with others without being there with them and at the same time. Be very intentional about your time and whereabouts, prioritising in person and synchronous time only when it will deliver higher value.

Embracing the flexibility that technology offers can significantly enhance your work-life balance. Use cloud-based platforms to work from anywhere, allowing you to manage your tasks without being tied to a specific location. Leverage collaboration tools to stay connected with your team and maintain productivity, even when working remotely. Schedule your work around your most productive hours, and make use of automation tools to handle repetitive tasks.

Define work hours. When I started my career, I received permission from my manager to work from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time, so I could contact media on the East Coast before their deadlines and beat the afternoon traffic when commuting home. What are the “core” business hours of your company? When is your team expected to be available? Is it 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m., for example, and other times are flexible so team members can make personal arrangements? What are the expectations for working on nights and weekends? Our profession isn’t 9-5, but I’ve witnessed a lot of people burn out because they believe they’re supposed to be available all day, every day. Is that true? Discuss this with your team.

Leverage "Focus Mode" that only lets urgent notifications in and blocks specific websites to avoid endless scrolling by mistake! Take time to review your priorities at least once a day and make sure you're spending time on valuable items as working on low impact topics may be a distractions in itself.

With technology many distractions can take place. With healthy boundaries the technology can be used in right way. As small as putting alarm for every 45 mins to get up and walk around to have short break, listening to some podcasts to uplift the mood, do journaling or doodle to distract the mind. With this it is important to have less screen time, avoid unnecessary notifications by putting them on mute,

Technology can both help and disturb. Use screen-time limits, enable focus mode and deactivate unnecessary apps during the day to prevent your phone and computer from affecting your productivity and well-being. It's better to chose when you want to check your messages or email than being disturbed when your receive one.

To manage distractions and support your work-life balance, use technology intentionally. Set clear boundaries by using tools like “Do Not Disturb” modes or focus apps to block notifications during deep work sessions. Schedule specific times to check email or messages rather than constantly reacting to pings. Apps that track screen time can also help you monitor how much time you're spending on distractions. This intentional use of tech helps you stay productive without sacrificing your well-being or blurring the lines between work and personal life.

To manage distractions and maintain well-being, use technology to limit screen time and filter out unnecessary notifications or messages. Tools like focus apps or notification blockers can help create a distraction-free environment for both work and personal activities. Additionally, mindfulness apps and online courses can aid in practicing relaxation and meditation techniques to improve focus and reduce stress.

With the rise of remote working we lost much of the spontaneous water cooler moments, chats in the corridors with colleagues. This is when a lot of socialisations happened, where teams built their culture, cohesiveness, and when a lot of informal learning and mentoring happened. We should try to use technology in a more intentional way to ensure that we could still allow such casual interactions to happen. This includes casual check in before meetings, chats open just for funny or non-work related issues across the group/organisation. Studies show how sometimes these informal online groups allow workers to be better engaged with a larger network of people on specific issues across geographically dispursed teams.

I am confident that in a world wired for distractions, connecting with others is an underdeveloped skill. Software platforms, serving as networking mediums (even here on LinkedIn), play a role, but it is our proficiency in empathy, understanding, and active engagement that truly cultivates connections with people. The depth of our relationships is not defined by the frequency of clicks, but by our ability to resonate with others and comprehend diverse perspectives. Whether in personal or professional lives, the art of connection lies in nurturing human interactions, going beyond digital dialogues to cultivate genuine bonds with other people whose lives connect with yours.

Creating small groups is the key to higher connectivity: whether it's based on interests, location, or any community, having face-to-face time is how you increase the sense of belonging. This leads to more interactions across the organization and drastically reduces the isolation that a lot of employees feel.

Technology has been a game changer to build connections across the globe and it has become normalised to create connections online, using technology, especially post pandemic. I have personally connected with more people virtually than face-to-face. It opens new perspectives, giving you greater satisfaction and more connections, which can positively influence your wellbeing.

Technology can really boost your overall well-being, especially by fostering connections with your colleagues. It's great for communication, staying in touch with everyone and therefore having frequent contact with your social circles.

I've also found it very helpful to use technology that increase my self-awareness and emotional intelligence. By using technologies that help me to balance my nervous system I can better management my energy throughout the day. By using a technology that measures my emotions and emotional intelligence using voice recognition, I can address the underlying emotions I am experiencing and create better well-being.

Strive to achieve a balance between the quality and quantity of your digital interactions to support work-life balance and well-being. Focus on meaningful and productive communication rather than simply maximizing screen time. Prioritize high-value tasks and interactions, allocating dedicated time for deep work and uninterrupted focus. Use productivity tools like Toggl or Timeular to track and optimize your time spent on different activities, ensuring a balanced approach to work and leisure. Limit excessive screen time by setting boundaries and taking regular breaks to recharge and maintain overall well-being.

One approach I find effective is setting specific times for deep work and for breaks, ensuring you're not just busy but productive. For example, use tech to schedule focused work periods followed by short, restorative breaks - like a mini yoga session, or a walk outside. This not only enhances productivity but also supports your nervous system to re-engage your executive functioning. Prioritize essential tasks while maintaining space for creativity and rest. By promoting mindful productivity, we create a balanced environment where both work quality and personal well-being thrive. This approach supports a resilient nervous system and sustainable success.

En trouvant cet équilibre entre productivité et épanouissement personnel, nous pouvons maximiser l'impact positif de la technologie sur notre vie. Cela nous permet non seulement de progresser dans nos objectifs professionnels, mais aussi de nourrir notre créativité et nos passions, contribuant ainsi à un bien-être global et durable.