By Dr. Subodh Agarwal, IAS
Technology has undeniably transformed modern life. From the way we work and travel to how we interact with friends and family, it has introduced convenience, speed, and efficiency that are nearly impossible to reverse.
Yet, within this transformation lies a striking paradox:
The very tools that made our lives easier have also made our minds louder.
Excessive dependence on screens, digital fatigue, and even screen addiction are gradually eroding our attention span, creativity, and inner calm. What was once a gateway to progress has, for many, become a source of mental clutter.
But the answer is not to reject technology.
The answer is to rebalance it.
Technology can distract us, yes — but it can also sharpen our focus. AI-driven productivity tools, mindfulness apps, and intentional digital boundaries can help us use technology more consciously and more meaningfully. It’s time to shift from using tech only for comfort to using it for well-being.
And interestingly, some of the world’s most successful leaders have already embraced this philosophy.
Eric Schmidt, who helped transform Google into a global giant, often says that his most powerful productivity habit isn’t digital at all. Every weekend, he turns off his screens, picks up a notebook, and simply thinks.
No notifications.
No dashboards.
Just uninterrupted space to breathe and reflect.
Closer to home, Infosys founder N. R. Narayana Murthy has repeatedly emphasized the importance of clear thinking. He reminds us that the best ideas seldom arrive in the middle of overflowing inboxes or late-night virtual meetings.
As he once said,
“A clear mind is more powerful than a long day.”
A 2024 Deloitte study reinforces this truth:
77% of professionals reported experiencing burnout
Screen fatigue was a major contributor
Organisations that glorified long working hours saw a decline in productivity
Forward-thinking companies like Shopify and Atlassian have experimented with “digital detox” days — and the outcomes were striking. Teams became more creative, more innovative, and more satisfied with their work.
Even Elon Musk — often portrayed as the ultimate work machine — admitted recently that his best insights don’t emerge while staring at data dashboards, but when his mind is free to wander.
Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath captured this idea perfectly:
“If you’re always staring at a screen, you stop seeing the bigger picture.”
The lesson is clear and compelling:
High performers aren’t burning themselves out to stay ahead — they’re switching off to move forward.
As Eric Schmidt beautifully said,
“When you unplug, you don’t lose time; you gain perspective.”
In a world racing toward the next upgrade, perhaps real progress begins with a pause.
Policy. People. Progress. #Subodh
