You Can Avoid Technology, But You Can’t Avoid Organisation and Focus

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The thing is that technology often feels like an unavoidable part of modern life.

From constant notifications to innovation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

But my question is: “Can you truly avoid technology?”

The answer is yes—to a large extent—but you must be prepared to double down on the skills of organisation and focus.

In practice, these are the bedrock of success, regardless of how much or how little technology you use.

Why People Want to Avoid Technology

The pressure to be constantly connected has taken its toll.

For many, the endless stream of emails, messages, and updates creates mental fatigue and sometimes strains personal relationships.

The “always-on” culture that society has developed provides fuel for stress and reduces our ability to disconnect and recharge.

The Myth of Tech Dependency

A common belief persists that success hinges on adopting every new app or tool.

But history proves otherwise.

Countless successful individuals have thrived without a heavy reliance on technology.

For them, sharp focus and strong organisation were the ultimate tools.

The Non-Negotiable Skills of Organisation and Focus

Whether you use technology or not, a mindset for being organised and focused is paramount.

Organisation

Organisation helps us prioritise tasks and prevents chaos.

It builds trust and reliability, making others more likely to depend on you.

When you’re organised, you waste less time searching for information and have more energy for meaningful work.

Focus

Multitasking might seem efficient, but it often leads to mistakes and wasted time.

Focused effort, by contrast, allows you to achieve deeper and more useful results.

Just like any craftsman who works with precision and attention to detail—your success isn’t dependent on the tools you choose to use but on the quality of your focus.

Practical Strategies for Staying Organised Without Technology

Notebooks, planners, and index cards are timeless, low-tech tools.

They’re reliable and free from the distractions of a digital device.

While they lack automation, they encourage deliberate thought and planning.

Pros:

  • No risk of battery failure.
  • Encourages a focused, distraction-free workflow.

Cons:

  • Harder to share or update compared to digital systems.

"Time Management" Techniques

In my opinion, time management as often portrayed doesn’t add much value.

The key is to focus on your priorities, your energy levels, and taking action in relation to your priorities.

Methods like the Pomodoro Technique, Eisenhower Matrix, or bullet journaling are all useful.

These techniques help break tasks into manageable chunks, helping with prioritisation and tracking progress.

The Power of Routine

Daily habits reduce decision-making challenges and help streamline tasks.

For example, starting each day by checking a to-do list or reviewing priorities can make a significant difference in productivity.

Personally, I'll write tomorrow’s list of things to do today.

Of course, there will potentially be interruptions, but I can easily get back to the main list.

Staying Focused Without Digital Tools

I’m not suggesting that digital tools aren’t helpful, but that focus is more dependent on your mindset than on any digital tool.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness practices train your brain to stay present and avoid distractions.

Simple habits, such as periodically focusing on your breath or observing your surroundings, can help you gain and maintain control of your attention.

Decluttering Your Environment

A cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind. This may not apply to you, of course, but be aware it does apply to most people.

Even small changes, like tidying your desk or organising paperwork, can enhance your focus.

Building Discipline Through Small Wins

Discipline is a misleading word. It means you're using conscious willpower to get things done.

Consistently applied discipline leads to sub-conscious habits that end up being our path to success!

If you think you have a problem maintaining discipline, start by exploring small, achievable goals, and celebrate your progress. For example, commit to spending 30 minutes on a focused task each day and gradually increase this time.

OF course, that might require discipline!

Aim For A Balanced Approach

There are situations where technology genuinely saves time or energy.

For example, a calendar app might simplify scheduling, or a note-taking app could help you access ideas across multiple devices. Personally, I use Notion for most planning and writing activities.

The key is to use technology intentionally (deliberately), not by default.

Hybrid Strategies

Combining analogue and digital approaches offers the best of both worlds.

For example:

  • Use a digital calendar for reminders but keep a paper journal for deeper recording inspiration or reflection.
  • Draft ideas on paper before transferring them to a computer for final formatting.

FAQs

Can I stay productive without any technology at all?

Yes, but it requires dedication to planning, time management, and focus. Many traditional methods, like paper planners and manual tracking, remain effective.

What are some non-tech ways to stay organised?

Use notebooks, sticky notes, or physical filing systems to track tasks and manage priorities. A simple whiteboard can also be a powerful tool for visual planning.

How can I improve my focus without using apps?

Practice mindfulness, limit distractions, and create a workspace that supports concentration. Small habits, like regular breaks and focused work intervals, also help.

Are there situations where avoiding technology isn’t practical?

In contexts like remote work or emergencies, technology becomes essential. The goal is to use it wisely, not excessively.

Can I combine tech and non-tech strategies?

Absolutely. Hybrid methods, such as using tech for reminders while relying on analogue tools for reflection, provide flexibility and balance.

Summary

You can avoid technology, but success depends on being organised and focused.

While tools and useful gadgets may enhance efficiency, they’re not the foundation of productivity.

Organisation and focus are skills you can cultivate—with or without the help of technology.

Assess your habits and consider areas where you can improve organisation and focus.

Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below. How do you strike the balance?
;-)
Richard

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Recent Comments

28

Great message Richard.
All above are good ideas. And the one that resonates most with me is"Habit" I now habitually start my day with exercise, then sit down and look at WA..maybe answer or ask a few questions.
And naturally it turns my mind to my busibness, and away I go.
And yes, I planned my day as far as knowing my daily priority.
If I finish those tasks I move to my next one....but now I also stop and relax a bit. Burnout as we get older becomes a lot easier..

Great post

Steve

Hi Stevoi
Thanks for joining in and for adding your experience.
Also, I like your additions for planning. The thing is that when we plan, focused on our priorities, it's our plan, so we have control over, it and can change it if we need to. Without a plan, we make no commitment to doing anything.
Cheers.
;-)
Richard

Interestingly, I picked your post to read today out of my long list of emails, Richard! I've been trying out a couple of project/task managers today to see which one I wanted to use - CoSchedule or Trello.

I happen to love tech. My degree is in Computer Information Technology.

But, I tend to use the hybrid system of using notebooks to write my stuff to do. I was a project manager, so I liked to organize things. Now that I'm done with surgeries, planning my work time is more manageable, so 2025 is my year to thrive!

This is an excellent post for me to read today, lol! Thanks much for it :)

Teri

I also spotted the spelling of organisation and saw that you are from the UK :) I'm from the US :) Even Grammarly flags it as incorrect!

Hi Teri
I used to use Trello, but switched to Notion some years ago because it has far more flexibility. I use Notion for all organising, workflow and much writing nowadays.
;-)
Richard

Thanks! I'll have to check it out. I'm not committed to anything yet :)

I'm ooching it, lol.

Teri

OK. If you have questions about Notion, just ask
;-)
Richard

Thanks! I'm trying it now :)

Teri

Nicely put Richard... it doesn't matter how we spell organization does it!!

Technology is evolving and here to stay... we either thrive by it or die by it these days....

All the very best moving forward with all that you do my friend!!

Thank you for joining in here. Appreciated.
;-)
Richard

Most welcome my friend! :-)

I love to journal on good paper, like drawing paper but I also digitally Journal just not daily. At the time being I am journaling more on what I am doing throughout the day, digitally journal for ideas and getting negativity out when needed. And since starting that routine, much more positive as doing such a few years ago opens my mind to better options and refusing to allow others to dictate my emotions.

I picked up a book called the Antinet Zettlekasten. A analog filing system that teaches how to read better, gather information and filing that information on index cards. I must say, Scott P. Scheper idea of using this form of note taking speaks to me so much better than any digital app has ever done before. I like pen and paper, just not when it is cold for my fingers just do not get along with the cold anymore.

I dig on your ideas and thoughts on sitting our butts down and digging into one thing at a time for set amount of time. I can see as we age there is just so many more things we want to accomplish, at least it sure is that way for me. And sitting down to one thing takes darn near forcing myself to sit still that long. So I just ask myself for 30 minute for any one task and I can get a fair way into moving that project/Goal forward that way. So baby steps so to speak.

Thanks for the ideas you just created reading your blog here.

SuperDavidScott!

Thank you SuperD!
I always have a notepad close by which get used many times each day. But I prefer to organise with digital tools. I use Notion for everything that's not WA based.
;-)
Richard

Never heard of the “antinet Zettlekasten” paper based analog tool before. ( spell check went ballistic on that)
I think they used to call it a book..lol
But this is the one time I’m pleased to have insomnia .
Very interesting
Thanks
Steve

Zettlekasten is German for file cabinet so to speak. Our keyboard player is from Switzerland and he saw the book for I had it next to my sound board one Sunday and he asked me if I understood German. he reads and speaks German.

Ask him to "hail" a cab next time he is in NYC. Lol, sorry my warped sense of humor...
I am going to look at this tomorrow as not everyone likes digital storrage, a few sun spots andyour stuffed.

Stevoi

It's usually just referred to as Zettlekasten System.
;-)
Richard

Scott created a niche in that with antinet Zettlekasten and it does speak to me for I like pen and paper so to speak. Yet his marketing is amazing in how he is using that book to move people into becoming writers and him placing himself as a coach. The book is as thick as a bible, and he gives it away for 10 bucks. His take on what the creator of the Zettlekasten system in analog form is fairly deep and worth investing my time into for I need help organizing ideas and things I am creating in written form, where I got the information from, research, and being able to find it later.

Thank you Cali. I explored Zettlekasten a few years back. Perhaps I'll do that again.
:-)
Richard

Organisation = Organization

Hi Howard. You are clearly not from the UK. English comes from the UK. We English accept that other cultures use different spellings. But I always use the UK spelling.
;-)
Richard

Got it. I did not know that. It looked goofy to me.

Me too, Richard. Me too. Organise, stabilise, energise! Thanks for the post by the way. I'm off to declutter now!

Please use your "s" Richard. That's your culture buddy.
Americans use "z".

I understand, Howard,
No problem. American English uses Z in place of S in many words.
;-)
Richard

;-).

Thank you for your feedback, David. I use the Pomedoro Technique to keep my attention, usually in 30 minute intervals.
;-)
Richard

Excellent, Gail.
;-)
Richard

🙂

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