How to detox from Facebook for better productivity.
Based on the past 8 months of detox I have been successfully part of, I can tell you it has not only been rewarding, but I have found better options to share my thoughts, beliefs and lifestyles in a more productive manner. (Of course, it was also with due respect to all the elders who were sending alarming signals to the lifestyles that we "youngsters" lead today.)
1.If it not generating readership, revenue or return, don't use it.
There is no use spending your precious productive time on a platform which is basically your after-party area and gossip zone, unless you write a blog about after-parties or are a writer for a gossip column in a magazine. (and that, someone is paying you for it!)
If it is in social media that you want to have your after-party, make sure you invite the right guests (am sure you would not want your distant aunt to come by to bless you with sons and daughters on a picture that you are portrayed as a drunken mess signifying a successful party!) Now would be a good time to use the filter tool on your accounts smartly.
2. Start a hobby. A real one.
While our days get packed with many little things about work (mostly), take time off and develop a skill or hobby for the sake of a better personality. A good hobby could be as simple as developing better conversation skills (and for that you need to be well-read!.) Nobody wants to be friends with someone who's popular social productivity is to drink, smoke or smoke-up all the time. It is generally annoying! A good conversation is probably more sexy than a drunken monkey (am sure there is a lot of research out there that proves it!)
3. Distract yourself the old school way!
Take five minutes off and think about one person who you want to reach out to, and just do it. Not on Facebook, but by calling or writing an actual letter and mailing (regular post) it to them. You might be surprised and might surprise the receiver also!
4. Develop an reputation for yourself online.
Google yourself now. Look and track all the pages in which you appear and clean it up, if necessary. Your reputation on Facebook is crucial to your career and life. The first thing that recruiters do is Google your name. We belong to an age where we meet our future life-partner online. It helps to track every single page and upload (I am sure you can crack the filters and tools on Facebook to do it for you, else ask for help.) You don't want the CEO of your company to find you frolicking in downtown when you were expected to stay home sick on your day off, neither do you want your future life-partner to assume you are a playboy all the time and there might be trust issues when you get into the relationship!
Facebook is very powerful, use it to develop a balanced and positive image of your lifestyle, especially if you are a 20-something in 2014. I cannot tell you how important it is for young and energetic people to develop a balanced life, although you are party-goers, you are also smart and intelligent workers, show both sides of that coin, not just the lop-sided image!
5. Embrace your surroundings and welcome the natural elements.
Take a look outside your window, go for a walk, clean up your closet, love the elements around you, pause to breathe, remember to smile. These are gifts to yourself. One that does need a lot of passion and zest for life! Live life to the fullest now, make sure you don't annoy your family and friends while you are at it!
When you share beautiful things with your family and friends, they like to chime in too. "Being cool" and "accepted" among peers need not always involve unhealthy habits and annoying behavior.