by Dr. Subodh Agarwal, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan
There’s no denying it — technology has transformed our lives. From how we work and travel to how we connect with friends, it has brought comfort and efficiency that are almost impossible to roll back.
But here’s the paradox. The very tools that made life easier have also made our minds noisier. Over-dependence, screen fatigue, and even screen addiction are slowly chipping away at our attention, creativity, and peace of mind.
For me, the solution lies not in rejection, but in rebalancing. The same technology that distracts us can also help us focus better — through AI-driven productivity tools, mindfulness apps, and smarter digital boundaries. It’s time to use technology not just for comfort, but for conscious well-being.
And the world’s top leaders are quietly showing how.
Eric Schmidt- the man who helped turn Google into a global powerhouse — says his best productivity habit isn’t digital at all. Every weekend, he switches off his screens, sits with a notebook, and just thinks.
No notifications. No dashboards. Just space to breathe.
Closer home, Infosys founder N. R. Narayana Murthy often spoke about quality of thought — reminding us that the best ideas rarely appear amid endless emails or late-night Zoom calls. “A clear mind is more powerful than a long day,” he once said.
A 2024 Deloitte study backs this up
- 77% of professionals reported burnout
- Screen fatigue was a leading cause
- Productivity actually dropped in organisations that glorified long hours
Meanwhile, companies like Shopify and Atlassian — both experimenting with “digital detox” days — saw their teams become more creative, more innovative, and more fulfilled.
Even Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX News by Newslines known for his relentless work pace, recently admitted that his best insights often come not in front of dashboards, but when his mind wanders.
And Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath said it best: “If you’re always staring at a screen, you stop seeing the bigger picture.”
The lesson is unmistakable. Top performers aren’t burning out to get ahead — they’re switching off to move forward.
As Eric Schmidt beautifully put it: “When you unplug, you don’t lose time; you gain perspective.”
