3 Principles for Empowering Yourself with Technology

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It’s incredible how many different types of technology exist in the world today, ranging from serious automated systems in factories, to software programs designed for personal use, that allow you to schedule and plan your life more effectively.

Ideally, our technologies should empower and uplift us – or rather, allows to empower and uplift ourselves. Sometimes, though, that isn’t exactly the way things work out. Many of the most prevalent technologies around today are used mostly for procrastination and time wasting. And some of them are explicitly exploitative and manipulative.

Here are a few principles for empowering yourself with technology, instead of being controlled by your technology.

1. Use technologies that make you more self-reliant, not more dependent

A general principle that applies for both your personal and professional life, is that you should use technologies that make you more self-reliant, not more dependent.

Independent power providers for mine sites, for example, help mines to be more self-sustainable, and more resilient in the face of potential infrastructure issues that might affect the country or region.

And on a more personal level, tools that help you to plan your days effectively, and stay on top of your schedule and obligations, make you more into the kind of person who can be consistently productive, and who doesn’t have to rely on other people to quite the same extent.

It’s important to realise, though, that some technologies just make you more dependent. Some systems are so complex and dependent on variables such as a consistent Internet connection, that you could easily end up relying on them entirely to run your life, and then be totally crushed when you don’t have access to them.

It’s a good idea to try and avoid that situation.

2. Be sure that the technologies you use are adding real value to your life, and that you’re not just caught in a gambling algorithm

Certain social media giants who will remain nameless in this article, are doing their best to exploit you, and to get you hooked into their systems.

This has been well documented by writers such as Adam Alter, in his book, “Irresistible.” The basic mechanism at play here is that large social media companies – and various other technology platforms – actually utilise algorithms and techniques straight from the gambling industry, to keep you clicking, and clicking, and clicking all day and all night.

You should be careful that the technologies you use are adding real value to your life, and that you’re the one in control. If you find that you’re almost “serving” the technology, something is very wrong.

3. Use technology first and foremost to make you better at achieving your core goals – not primarily as a way of distracting yourself

TV, film, video games, and digital gadgets designed for entertainment, are all well and good in moderation. But the problem is that many people end up using these tools as a way of procrastinating far too much, and spending all of their free time passively.

First and foremost, the technology you use in your life should serve the function of making you better at achieving your core goals. It should make you more organised. More focused. Faster and better at your job. Better at planning uplifting family activities.