From bagel to potato chips, there’s a National Day for just about everything. Most of these days certainly make for fun social media content (think #NationalMargaritaDay on February 22). But others – like March 1’s Global Day of Unplugging – can be a good reminder of positive habits we might want to give a try.
Unplugging from the endless stream of text messages, emails, and video calls may sound like a dream come true. But for those in the startup world, it can feel just about impossible to actually step away from the screens. The pressures from customers, investors, and team members will often keep a founder glued to their laptop and phone screens.
But can startup founders actually enjoy part of Global Day of Unplugging without having it totally ruin business? We compiled a few tips that just might do the trick.
During The Work Day
Pitch & Run
You might want to borrow a concept from #PeachandRun @ PitchAtlanta, where founders and VCs get their morning going with a fun and casual run. For teams looking for less tech-intensive meetings or conversations, ditch the conference room and head outside for a run or walk. It could be a good opportunity to hash out a difficult conversation, practice for an upcoming presentation, or just add some movement to your stale 1:1s.
Tech Down, Pencils Up Meetings
“Tech Down, Pencils Up” meetings are designed to foster meaningful communication and collaboration while reducing dependency on digital devices. Encourage participants to leave their devices outside the meeting room or silence them during the session. Provide alternative tools such as whiteboards, flip charts, or physical notebooks for note-taking and brainstorming. By creating a space free from digital distractions, teams can engage more deeply, enhance creativity, and build stronger interpersonal connections, ultimately leading to more productive and fulfilling meetings.
Find “Mini” Moments
Developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, the Pomodoro Technique is an interval-based time management method. Each interval is traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. These intervals are known as “Pomodoros.” After completing a Pomodoro, take a short break (usually around 5 minutes) before starting the next one. After completing four Pomodoros, a longer break of around 15-30 minutes is taken. The technique aims to improve productivity and focus by encouraging individuals to work in short, concentrated bursts with regular breaks, thereby reducing the likelihood of burnout and maintaining mental freshness throughout the workday.
Fix Those Settings
Even if you can’t unplug fully, there are still some ways that you can reset expectations around how and when you actually use different devices. The team organizing the Global Day of Unplugging has put together some helpful tips, including how to set automatic messages to text messages and going into “Brick Mode.”
