We start the new year brimming with energy and ambitious plans: working more efficiently, being better organized, and living “healthier.” Yet, we often try to tackle everything at once. The result? Motivation fades faster than we’d like. Many throw in the towel entirely and abandon their resolutions altogether. But that’s not a solution either.
Of course, you don’t need the start of a year to improve things in your life. Regular reflection and targeted efforts on smaller issues are often more effective. However, the turn of the year is indeed a good time to initiate changes: you often have more free time than during the rest of the year – many people are still on vacation, projects are wrapped up, and the weather doesn’t exactly entice you to spend your time outside.
So why not use this period to tackle issues that have been weighing you down for a while? My suggestion: Fix your “Broken Windows.”
What Are “Broken Windows”?
The “Broken Windows Theory” originates from sociology. It suggests that visible signs of neglect – like broken windows – often lead to rapid escalation. The more such “windows” exist, the faster the condition of a neighborhood or even an entire city can deteriorate.
When we apply this idea to our digital lives, we find numerous areas where small oversights can quickly spiral into larger problems:
- A cluttered desktop: You can’t find your files, store documents haphazardly, and quickly lose track.
- Uncontrolled social media usage: A “quick check” of your feed turns into hours of scrolling, often late into the night.
- A messy email inbox: Randomly accepting newsletters, never organizing your inbox, and feeling stressed every time you need to find an important email.
Do these situations sound familiar? These are precisely the “Broken Windows” that, when ignored, can lead to nonlinear escalation.
How to Identify Your “Broken Windows”
To recognize your “Broken Windows,” take a closer look at your digital habits.
- Reflect: Write down how you use digital devices and content during a typical week. Bullet points are enough.
- Highlight problem areas: Circle the areas where you feel overwhelmed or out of control.
- Analyze: Think about why these points stress you out and whether the stress has worsened over time. These are your “Broken Windows.”
Strategies to Fix Your “Broken Windows”
Once you’ve identified your “Broken Windows,” you can begin repairs. The best strategy is often to stop doing things rather than adding more tasks to your to-do list. What you don’t do doesn’t cost you any time.
Here are a few examples:
- Clean up your newsletters: Create a new email account and remove the old one from your inbox. Start fresh with zero newsletters and subscribe more consciously in the future.
- Reduce social media usage: Consider a radical step like deleting an account. If that’s not feasible, set specific times for using social media.
- Organize your desktop: Plan a major cleanup and implement a simple organizational system. After that, small, regular “maintenance” sessions will suffice.
One-Time Actions vs. Regular Maintenance
Some “Broken Windows” can be fixed with a single action. For example, deleting your Facebook account resolves the issue of doom scrolling in Facebook permanently. Others require ongoing maintenance. For instance, switching to a new newsletter account annually can prevent clutter.
Before committing to regular tasks, ask yourself if the effort is truly worth it. Does maintaining a newsletter account provide real value, such as information about interesting events or inspiring content? If so, it’s worth your time for regular upkeep. If not, consider whether you can minimize or eliminate this stressor altogether.
More Control, Less Stress
Once you’ve repaired your major “Broken Windows,” you’ll notice reduced stress and a regained sense of control over your digital content. You can even apply these strategies to other areas of life to create lasting change. The key, as always, is to start small and stay focused. Fix your “Broken Windows” – and start the new year with a clear head!
Checklist
- Note down how you use devices and online content.
- Highlight areas that overwhelm or stress you out.
- Analyze why these areas are problematic and whether the stress is escalating.
- Decide whether one-time actions or regular maintenance are needed to reduce the stressors.
- Focus on reducing tasks rather than adding new ones.
- Determine which areas justify the maintenance effort and provide real value.