TJ Walker says ask "Is this the best way to solve the problem?" when you encounter new tech. He uses site-blocking software as an example of overcomplication, then shows a simpler fix: turning his phone off before bed and during deep work.
One question you should pose for every new technology that tries to worm its way into your life is simply this. Is this the best way to solve the problem? For years I was a fan of software that blocks access to time wasting sites. You plug in the news sites, the social media sites you don't want to go to, and it prevents you from going there. So it is a perfectly valid technology fix. I'm now much more in favor of another technology fix. It's called the off button. Literally turning my phone off every night, two hours before I go to bed, different times during the day when I'm doing deep work. So it's not just if it's a good technology, but is it the best technology to solve your needs? Follow the TJ Walker habit.
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