Social media is crucial to your business’ marketing and engagement strategy. It’s also a way for you to connect with your friends and family and to stay in the know about things that you care about. But as great as it can be, it has its pros and cons.
Here are some tips on how to find balance in a social media world:
1. Create boundaries
It’s easy to get sucked into scrolling through your newsfeed while you ought to be doing something else. Limit your social media time to strictly work-related activities during office hours – and even after your day is through, prioritize real-world activities over online activities.
The key here is to be honest about how much time you are really spending on social media. Track the time you spend on social media over the course of a week, then take that time and chop it in half, using that as a goal for the following week. Replace that time with a healthier pastime, like exercise, home improvement, or meeting up with friends.
2. Turn off notifications
Many of us are hardwired to look at our phones when we receive a notification. While some may be important, it’s not crucial to be aware of every little thing your “friends” get up to. You can turn notifications off in your phone settings as well as on your desktop. If you need to receive notifications for your business social activities, use an app (like Facebook Pages, for instance), as it will only send you notifications from your business pages. Chances are you’re not going to miss anything important. Your closest contacts can call you on the phone if they really need to reach you.
3. Use software blocking applications
There are plenty of apps you can use to block specific websites during certain hours. Freedom is a great one – and you can use it on your desktop or on your phone. You simply install the app, select the devices you want to use it on, determine your schedule, and choose the apps and websites you want to block. According to the Freedom website, users gain an extra 2.5 hours of productivity every day.
4. Put yourself and your loved ones first
The main objective in striking a balance with social media is so that you have time to devote to yourself and your loved ones. Think about it – if you’re looking at your phone at the dinner table, you will miss out on finding out more about things that really should concern you, like how your kid did on their math test that day or what awesome tidbits of wisdom your spouse (or your date) has to offer. Paying more attention to your phone than a companion during a social encounter will send the message that you are not interested. Based on that, do you think you’ll get a second chance?
In closing, you don’t have to completely swear off social media to find balance, but you should put it in its proper place. If you’re looking for ways to work smarter, Business Workspaces in El Dorado has your back. Reach out today to find out how we can help. For more tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
