What is the first thing you do when you wake up? Let me guess: check your phone?

I’m not the first person (nor will I be the last) to write about our technology issues today.

We’re currently living in a world where we’re connected 24/7. Sure, technology has made our lives easier in some ways, but it’s also been a huge disruptor.

The positives? We can reach out to anyone, anytime and simply check in, say hi or let them know they’re loved. The negatives? Our minds are constantly ON because of the many pop-ups, messages, alerts, emails, and notifications.

Some food for thought:

Say you wake up at 6 am and start work at 9 am. If you’ve checked your emails, texts, social media (or whatever it is on your phone!) your mind has been “on” for three hours - before you’ve even started work. You read a work email at 6.15 am. Once you’ve opened that email, you’re in work mode - and for some people, that’s stress mode. You are then distracted, and that takes you away from where you are.

Unless you’re making a one-off deadline or dealing with people in a different time zone, try to be present and aware of where you are each morning – before you go to work.

If you live with someone, think about how it makes them feel when you’re having breakfast together, and you’re staring at your phone. You should value your time - and theirs.  It’s the little things that can change someone’s day.

Before you go to work, it’s your time. How you prepare yourself in that time, sets you up for the day. So, sit down, eat breakfast with your partner, kids, or flatmate, and just be. Enjoy your meal, coffee or tea.