Too much of anything is dangerous. Working online pays most of my bills, but I have to use it in moderation. Even good things can become little gods. Computers were invented to make work easier. However, they can become little gods.
Preventing computer addiction while working online as a
virtual assistant (VA) is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance
and overall well-being.
I use several strategies to manage my online work
effectively and avoid computer addiction. These include:
1.
Establishing Clear Boundaries
·
I set specific working hours and stick to them.
·
I create
a designated workspace to separate work from leisure activities.
·
I avoid working in spaces associated with
relaxation, such as my bedroom.
2.
Taking Regular Breaks
·
I schedule short breaks throughout the day to
stretch, walk, or engage in non-screen activities.
·
I use the Pomodoro Technique, which involves
working in focused intervals (e.g., 1 hour) followed by short breaks.
3.
Prioritizing Self-Care
·
I incorporate regular exercise into my routine
to counterbalance sedentary work.
·
I try to get enough sleep to maintain physical
and mental well-being. Honestly, sometimes I don’t achieve this, but I try. I
set YouTube reminders to remind me that it’s time to sleep.
·
I practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques
to reduce stress.
4.
Setting Realistic Goals
·
I break down tasks into manageable chunks to
avoid feeling overwhelmed.
·
I prioritize tasks and focus on what is most
essential to prevent overworking. I love doing this on days I feel I have so
much to do to avoid getting frustrated. It is the frustration that, at times, drives me to stay on my PC without doing any meaningful work.
5.
Limiting Social Media and Entertainment
·
I sometimes use website blockers or productivity
apps to limit access to distracting websites during work hours.
·
I used to schedule specific times for checking
social media and personal emails. But I have since learned to put social media
away when working. As a beginner, you can start by scheduling as you nurture
self-control.
6.
Distinguishing Work and Personal Devices
·
Ideally, using separate devices for work and
personal use is the best way out here if possible. But I haven’t gone that
direction yet. I have one PC and smartphone at any given time, given my
financial status.
·
I turn off work-related notifications during
non-working hours.
7.
Communicating Effectively
·
I clearly communicate my working hours and
availability to clients, colleagues, and family. Everyone who has worked with
me knows I am unavailable from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
· I set expectations with clients regarding response times and availability so they don’t contact me when I should be cooling my head off.
8.
Incorporating Offline Activities
·
I engage in hobbies or activities that do not
involve screens during my free time. I take a long walk, play soccer with my
kids, or just visit a friend for a small face-to-face talk. I also sometimes plan
social activities with friends and family to balance online
and offline interactions. We can picnic at a park or travel to a
different town.
9.
Regular Screen Detoxing
·
I schedule regular “screen detox” days
where I minimize screen time and engage in offline activities. As I said,
I am usually unavailable for online work between Friday and Saturday evenings.
10. Evaluating Workload and
Boundaries
·
I would not say I usually get too much work than
I can handle, but whenever that happens, and I feel overwhelmed, I would assess
my workload and ensure that it aligns with a healthy work-life balance. Learning
to say no to additional tasks or projects if my plate is already full helps me balance things.
Parting Shot
I never want to forget that as a virtual assistant, computer
addiction can negatively impact my physical and mental health. By implementing
these strategies, I do my best to maintain a healthy relationship with
technology while working as a virtual assistant.
Are you experiencing computer addiction? Have you tried to
implement these strategies, but the addiction gets intense? If you find it
challenging to manage on your own, consider seeking professional guidance or
support.