I don’t know about you, but I get weary of looking at the laptop screen so often.
I seem to be on that screen for hours, checking emails and social media, writing letters, doing my banking, and much more. I find that my eyes get tired of focusing, and the older I get, the more I seem to strain them. This problem causes fatigue, affects my productivity and prevents me from effectively using my time.
I have found a strategy to cut down on staying at my screen all the time. Instead, I simply take my cellphone, compose an email to myself, activate the microphone, and start dictating. Now, I can sit at my favorite spot at the river, watching the boats go by while I dictate whatever needs to be done, whether writing an article or drafting a new chapter. When complete, I email that to myself. At a later convenient time, I open it up, copy and paste the content to a word document. Then I can correct the mistakes and refine them.
I often record several emails, numbering them according to the topic and sequence in which I dictate them. It is gratifying seeing my files grow in this way.
I also find it helpful when I am away from home and suddenly hit on an idea. Of course, I do not carry the laptop around.
Instead of making quick notes by hand, I can dictate whole paragraphs on the phone, and the writing is ready for editing and follow-up later!
According to medical experts, it is good to give your eyes the chance to look in the distance, not only at the screen in front of you. So, dictating has the added benefit of allowing your eyes that opportunity. Hence, there is no glaring sun on the big screen.
This simple trick gives my eyes the rest they need. In addition, it enables me to work at any time and in any place. I know there are recording devices for Word, but then I will once again be on my laptop, staring at the screen. Give it a try, and you will be amazed at how much time you save when you transfer the dictated email to Word. In addition, you will feel really good when you have a virtually completed document in front of you.
Of course, I love sitting outside, and this technique has allowed me the freedom to do this more often. So you can guess that I was sitting on my favorite bench at the river while expressing my thoughts. And, of course, watching the sun about to set while having a picnic and a glass of wine.