Mindset
Own the Technology, Don’t Let It Own You
“We don’t have a choice whether we DO social media, the question is how well do we DO it.“
– Erik Qualman
I think we can all agree that the internet, social media, artificial intelligence, and the vast technological soup we’ve been brewing for decades are here to stay. The genie isn’t just out of the bottle—it’s shattered the glass and has nowhere else to go.
If anything, this technological landscape is only going to grow more complex and more woven into our lives. So, we might as well not only embrace it but own it.
What Do I Mean by That?
We can sit back and let technology distort and disorient our lives—or we can make it serve us.
We can be victims of it, or stewards of it.
But what we can’t do is wait for it to figure itself out for us.
Over time, I’ve come to terms with a few personal “rules of thumb” for my own use of technology. I’m not claiming to be the most informed user—I have plenty left to learn—but I think I represent many people, even younger generations, who have allowed technology to quietly infuse their lives instead of consciously directing its role.
My Personal Rules of Thumb
For me, technology should serve one (or more) of three main purposes:
Learning. Creating. Connecting.
Entertainment has its place, but it should occupy only a small slice of the time we spend using these tools.
I call this the 30/30/30/10 Rule—not as a strict formula, but as a framework for awareness. It helps me reflect on where my attention is going and how my time is being spent.
Creating
For me, creating means building posts that inform and inspire, but it also includes content that supports my business or personal growth—podcasts, blogs, and other media that align with my purpose.
That purpose?
To challenge convention, create change, and inspire others so they can live their best lives.
This purpose drives everything I create.
Learning
My curiosity fuels my learning. I seek out what I don’t understand, not to defend my beliefs but to deepen my perspective. I work to challenge my assumptions and organize my thoughts so I can better express them through creativity and connection.
Connecting
I use technology to stay connected—with friends, peers, and the wider world. It helps me stay informed, inspired, and aware of how people are living and how things are changing.
Staying Conscious
Of course, I’m not immune to doom scrolling or falling into the algorithm’s trance. But I’ve developed an inner voice—a little character that pops up to remind me of my own rules of thumb. It tells me when it’s time to unplug or reclaim control. I want technology to serve my purpose, not the other way around.
As I grow older, I’m doing my best to remain informed, involved, and intentional. I don’t want technology to own or constrain me—I want it to empower me. That means investing time, effort, and purpose into how I use it.
Your version of this might look different. What you create, how you learn, and who you connect with will be unique to you. But if you stay true to these principles, you’ll find yourself expanding your possibilities rather than shrinking under the weight of distraction.
If not these rules of thumb, then what are yours?
If you don’t have any, chances are you’re already deep in the vortex.
Beware of the vortex—it can eat you up.
Unless you eat it first.
