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Top 14 Freelance Websites to Find and Hire Skilled Freelancers for Your Business Needs

According to Upwork, the world’s largest freelancer platform (generates over $2 billion in yearly revenue by the way), From 2020 to 2021, overall earnings from freelance work in the U.S. grew by $100 million, with total earnings of $1.3 trillion. Traditional job search methods of local newspapers and in-person agencies are a thing of the past. Freelancing websites are not even the new-normal at this point, they’re just normal. These websites offer a wealth of opportunities for those looking to work from home or break into the freelance world, as well as for those looking for experts to complete specific tasks for their business. If you're on the other side of the coin Finding freelance work can be a daunting task, but with the right resources, it doesn't have to be. From creating a professional profile to preparing a CV or portfolio, the process can be overwhelming. When looking for a freelance platform, there are many factors to consider such as job quality, user experience, and recruiter quality. The following list of sites has been carefully curated based on customer reviews, job availability, and overall user experience to make your search for freelance work easier and more efficient.

Best Freelance Websites (The Go-Tos)

1. Toptal (Best for top-tier Talent)

The crown jewel of freelance work, Toptal is a freelance website that connects highly qualified freelance industry experts with organizations. And I mean HIGHLY and Exclusively qualified since only 3% of applicants get through to work using the platform. But once you make it past the rigorous 5-step application and screening procedure, you’ll be matched with the best companies and big names like Google, Microsoft, Shopify, Airbnb, and so on. Positions such as Developer, Designer, Finance Expert, Project Manager, and Product Manager are among the most common. Taso Du Val, CEO of TopTal stated in an interview with CNBC that the recruiting process is one-on-one, with candidates examined and approved personally at each stage. Surprisingly, the majority of Toptal's talent is based outside of the United States. If you think this is out of your league though, consider starting with the others listed below and working your way up. Let’s move on to the next one. 2. Upwork (Best for dependable long-term freelancers)

Upwork has been tested and reviewed by many with more than average underwhelming results, so why is it second on our list? The reason for this is that it is a great platform for beginners to start their freelance careers. However, some clients can be hesitant to invest a lot of money and time on low-quality freelancers, so they tend to start with small, low-paying tasks to test the freelancer's skills. This can lead to some clients on Upwork themselves being seen as "low-quality", which isn't always the case. To address this, Upwork has introduced a feature that allows clients to post jobs for freelancers based in the United States only. Here is a Tip, there is a feature called "Work Diary" which allows you to track the time your freelancer spends on the task, take screenshots of their work, and view their activity level. This feature can be useful in ensuring that your freelancer is working efficiently and effectively, and can also be used as evidence in case of disputes or issues with payment. Additionally, Upwork also has a built-in payment protection system that holds funds in escrow until the client is satisfied with the work and releases payment to the freelancer. 3. AngelList Talent *now Wellfound (Best for Startups)

AngelList is a website built just for startups. As you can probably tell by the name the platform is where angel investors, and job-seekers looking to work at startups meet. When hiring freelancers on AngelList, it's important to keep in mind that the platform is geared towards startup companies and early-stage ventures. This means that the pool of talent may be more experienced in working with startups and may have a different skill set than freelancers found on other platforms. It's also important to thoroughly review the freelancer's portfolio and past work experience to ensure they have the necessary skills and experience for your project. One "secret" to keep in mind when using AngelList is that the platform has a built-in referral system. This means that if you find a freelancer through a referral, the freelancer may offer you a discounted rate or other incentives. It's worth asking if the freelancer you're interested in working with has any referrals, as it can save you money and also help ensure that the freelancer is a good fit for your project. 4. LinkedIn (Recommended)

LinkedIn is one of the most popular work environments, providing a basic method for obtaining positions in a variety of fields. It's more recognizable as a communication platform for experts to network and connect. Side note: You should have a LinkedIn profile regardless of your field, particularly if you're a Business Owner. Now that that's out of the way, why is LinkedIn ranked fourth on our list? LinkedIn may appear to be a social media site, but it is actually a search engine with 0.9 billion users! It also has a special place for talent on Linkedin Talent Solutions. Posting a job on LinkedIn is a straightforward process. First, make sure you have a LinkedIn Recruiter account, which is a paid subscription that allows you to post jobs and access a larger pool of job seekers. Once you're logged in, click on the "Jobs" tab on the top navigation bar and select "Post a Job." Fill in the job title, location, and description, then select the appropriate job function and industry. You can also target your job listing to specific groups of people using LinkedIn's targeting options. Once you've finished, click "Post Job" and your listing will be live on LinkedIn for potential candidates to apply. Linkedin also allows you to Boost your job post to reach a larger audience and increase the chances of finding the right candidate. 5. We Work Remotely (Best for remote-Only Talent)

We Work Remotely is a job board where businesses advertise only work that can be completed remotely. Google and Basecamp recruiters use this site to find possible freelancers. Jobs are posted every several hours, and the site is quite busy. The website receives over 235K visits each month and has a fairly simple user experience. The portal links people with high-caliber opportunities in corporations worldwide. As a result, you will get talent with ideally a higher degree and a lot of experience. To entice prospects, the site includes employer branding and company biographies, and it screens true distant freelancing tasks rather than ambiguous gigs. It's worth noting that recruiting businesses spend $200 to publish a single position for 30 days. This is a significant signal that the platform attracts people with high qualifications and skills. 6. Fiverr (Best to find fair Prices)

Fiverr got its name because it initially worked with fast independent gigs for $5 — but it's grown a lot since then. Many savvy freelancers use lower retail prices for minor activities to entice new clients. Similar to setting a small sample so that they will need to contact you for larger projects. You can directly contact the freelancer even before ordering a Gig which provides a streamlined method for you to interact the details of the project and if it's possible to proceed with a gig. It is worth noting that on the website, freelancers are referred to as sellers, their services as gigs, and business owners as buyers. If you're looking to hire some freelancers but don't want to deal with the hassle of sifting through resumes and conducting interviews, Fiverr is your knight in shining armor. Sure, the quality of freelancers may not be top-notch, but with a user base as massive as Fiverr's, you're bound to find someone who can get the job done. And for all you freelancers out there, Fiverr is like a buffet of job opportunities - you'll find something for every skill set. Plus, Fiverr takes care of the money stuff for you, so you don't have to worry about chasing down payments or sending invoices. Just finish the job, collect your dough, done! 7. Freelancer.com (Best for Project Management and Collabs)

Freelancer.com claims that 80% of its positions receive an offer in sixty seconds or less! Now that’s a bold statement. The size of this site implies that it is appropriate for a wide range of large and small tasks, and you can utilize the site's enrollment and venture the board specialists if you require some guidance. Because of the wide range of abilities, clients can easily locate a freelancer of any kind. It's one of the most direct freelance commercial centers on the web, so it's no surprise that companies like Amazon, IBM, and Google use it. It's also quite possibly the largest freelance-focused website - the organization claims to have a global pool of fifty million freelancers who have mastery of over 1800 distinct abilities. Additionally, Freelancer.com offers a wide range of features such as project management tools, time tracking, and milestone payments, which make it easy for businesses to manage their projects and payments with freelancers. Overall, Freelancer.com's breadth of options and level of security makes it a unique and valuable platform for businesses looking to hire freelancers.

Best Freelance Websites (Industry Specific)

8. Mayple (Best for Marketing and Advertising)

We tossed in Mayple here because it’s such a specialized one with massive potential for not only marketers but companies that need their voices to be heard. It is great for companies that need help with customer engagement and promoting their brand. Unlike other websites like Upwork or Fiverr, Mayple focuses specifically on marketing and has a group of experienced marketers to help take your business to the next level. Apparently, companies such as Wix, Microsoft, and Amazon have reportedly leveraged it for marketing purposes. Their pricing table is very straightforward, with options such as Email Marketing, Social Media, Influencer Marketing, and a WYSIWYG dynamic pricing structure dependent on the customer's monthly budget. (The Media Package has a monthly minimum of $1,800.) As a result, this could be a great opportunity for you as well. Everyone wins 9. Behance and 99designs (Best for Design Talent)

Behance is like the fancy art school of freelance websites. It's where all the cool kids with mad design skills hang out and show off their portfolios. But don't be intimidated, even big names like Pentagram and Wolff Olins are on here! Just think of it as a virtual art gallery where you can browse through some seriously impressive work and maybe even hire the artist to create something amazing for your own business. It is famous enough to have a ton of projects yet underrated enough to have little competition with good-quality clients. On the other hand, there is 99designs, a unique platform that offers a different approach to hiring freelance designers. Instead of browsing through portfolios and handpicking a designer, businesses can launch a design contest and receive multiple designs from various designers. This allows for a wider range of options and the ability to choose the best design that fits the business' needs. However, it's important to keep in mind that the process can be time-consuming and may not always guarantee the desired outcome. But, it's a great platform to have a variety of designs to choose from and for discovering new talents 10. Codeable (Best to find WordPress Devs)

Now, this is a little special in that it’s a premium WordPress outsourcing platform based in Denmark. How’s that special? The vetting procedure at Codeable is quite extensive, including written and live exams, a Skype interview, and even a trial period. This contrasts with generic freelance services like Upwork and Fiverr where freelancers are continuously pressured to cut their pricing in order to compete with others. Additionally, they only concentrate on WordPress Developers. When it comes to pricing, developers will estimate an average cost depending on the number of hours it will take them, multiplied by their hourly rate. The sum of these individual estimations is divided by the number of developers that provided estimates. This prevents a "race to the bottom" and maintains a high standard of quality. You will be required to generate a work scope, as soon as you arrive at Codeable. The time it takes to do this and receive a response from a Codeable contractor is often under a day. The response usually includes further discussions before a quote is issued. If you're a business using WordPress for your website it’s an obvious go-to, which is why it is on this list. 11. Flexjobs (Best for Flexible Arrangements)

FlexJobs is a job search website that specializes in providing telecommuting, flexible schedules, part-time, and freelance job opportunities. It is unique in that it focuses solely on these types of jobs, rather than a wide range of job opportunities like many other job search websites. Additionally, FlexJobs hand-screens and curates every job listing on its website, ensuring that all job opportunities are legitimate and high-quality, as opposed to many other job search websites which are not able to verify the authenticity of every job listing. FlexJobs does not focus solely on freelance jobs, but its emphasis on flexible working implies that it has a large number of them listed. The organization disseminates data on the patterns and benefits of remote work adaptability indefinitely. According to a 2015 study conducted by FlexJobs, 76 percent of workers chose to work remotely when they needed to be useful while dealing with significant tasks. 12. GitHub and Stack Overflow (Best for hiring Devs)

Hiring developers on GitHub can be a great way to find talented individuals who are actively working on and contributing to open-source projects. Since GitHub is primarily used by developers to share and collaborate on code, it's a good way to find developers who are already experienced with the technologies and tools you're looking for. Additionally, by looking at a developer's contributions to open-source projects, you can get a sense of their coding style, problem-solving skills, and ability to work on a team. Stack Overflow all the while can also be a great way to find talented individuals. Stack Overflow is a community-driven website for developers where they can ask and answer questions related to programming. This can help you find developers who are passionate about coding and eager to learn and improve their skills. Additionally, Stack Overflow has a jobs section where employers can post job listings and developers can search for job opportunities. This can be a good way to find developers who are actively looking for new job opportunities. The platform also offers a feature called "Work with us" which allows companies to showcase their culture, perks, and benefits that they offer which makes it easy for developers to understand if the company culture aligns with their values and if they'll fit in. 13. Linkedin Sales Navigator (Best to find Sales Reps)

Now, this is one you probably haven't heard of before. LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a powerful tool within LinkedIn that allows companies to find and connect with potential sales reps. It offers advanced search filters and Boolean search options, so you can narrow down your search to find the most relevant candidates. It also has a feature called "Recruiter Lite" that allows companies to post job listings and search for potential candidates. This can be a great way to find sales reps who are already active on LinkedIn and have built a professional network and reputation. One of the key benefits of using LinkedIn Sales Navigator is the ability to see a candidate's professional network and connections, which can give you a sense of their level of experience and the types of companies they've worked with in the past. Additionally, you can see a candidate's activity on LinkedIn, such as the groups they're a member of, the content they're sharing and the conversations they're having. 14. Upcounsel (Best to hire related to Legal)

UpCounsel is a platform that connects businesses with top-rated legal freelancers. It offers a wide range of legal services, from drafting contracts and agreements to providing legal advice and representation. The platform pre-screens and approves all of its lawyers to ensure that they meet the highest professional standards, and have the necessary experience and qualifications to handle the specific needs of a client. One of the main advantages of using UpCounsel is the ability to find and hire legal freelancers quickly and easily. Read the full article

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24+ Fresh Sources of Web Design Inspiration for your Online Brand

Designing an online brand can feel like a daunting task, especially when it comes to finding inspiration for your brand's website. With so many websites and designs out there, it can be hard to know where to start and fall into the trap of creating a cookie-cutter design that doesn't truly reflect your brand's unique identity. However, by seeking new sources of inspiration, you can break out of the mold and create a website that truly stands out. The possibilities for inspiration are endless, from design blogs and portfolios to social media and even physical art. There are plenty of fresh sources of inspiration that can help you create a unique and visually stunning online brand. From design blogs to Instagram accounts, the options are endless. Who doesn't love a little eye candy to get those creative juices flowing? Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century, said "Good designers copy, great designers steal".

Popular Overall Web Design Inspiration

Here is a collection of the most highly rated, well-rounded, and visually-appealing web design inspiration resources available on the internet. These are the resources that have stood out to us as the best of the best, offering a balance of aesthetics, functionality, and innovation. 1. Pinterest, Behance, Dribbble

In the world of web design, three sources stand out as the most popular and widely used among professionals and enthusiasts alike. As of writing this article, Pinterest alone accounts for the majority at 444 million monthly active user base! One of my personal favorites is Behance, a platform specifically curated for designers featuring high-quality works from notable individuals and agencies. Its filter system makes it easy to navigate by category and date. Another great option for designers is Dribbble, which serves as a community for creatives to share their work and search for job opportunities. Pinterest, on the other hand, is a versatile platform that caters to a wide range of interests but is also popular among designers and architects for its vast collection of visual inspiration. Pros - Networking: These Design community sites provide an opportunity for you to connect with other professionals and possibly find designers - Volume: due to the nature of these sites, the shear amount of work and variety simply outweigh other options Cons - No organization: there are no pre-prepared or organized categories perhaps and you may have to create your own mood boards - Quality of work: you may find that some of the design styles may have been overused and have become typical (this is not a major con) 2. Siteinspire

Unlock an expansive realm of design possibilities with SiteInspire. It's an ideal destination for those seeking to expand their collection, and the ability to curate your own list of favorite designs makes it a go-to destination for your website design inspiration needs. The registration process is a breeze, requiring only a simple account creation, and voila, you are granted access to a world of inspiration at your fingertips. Pros - Wide variety of designs: Siteinspire features a wide variety of website designs from different industries - High-quality designs: Siteinspire curates the designs featured on its platform, ensuring that the designs are of high quality and visually appealing Cons - No community features: Siteinspire does not have community features, such as user-generated content or feedback mechanisms (these might be a good thing sometimes) - No search function: Siteinspire does not have a search function, which makes it difficult to find specific designs or inspiration based on keywords 3. Awwwards

Awwwards is a competition for professional web design and development. Its goal is to identify and promote the best in innovative web design. It is a website competition to which Website owners like you can enter. This one stands out from the crowd because a panel of experts comprised of the industry's most important designers, creative directors, bloggers, and agencies devote themselves to the difficult task of assessing the talent and effort invested in the web projects submitted to Awwwards on a daily basis. Therefore you get some high-end designs here made with the latest technologies. You can explore all the submissions or you can filter all the Winners. Pros - Awards and recognition: Awwwards gives awards and recognition to the best website designs, which means you get the best of the best - Critiqued by a panel: A group of elected well know designers and web owners judge what gets a site nominated or become a winner Cons - A limited number of designs: Awwwards features a limited number of designs, which may not be enough for some users - Meh filtering options: Awwwards has limited filtering options, which can make it harder to find specific types of designs or inspiration 4. Land-Book

Land-Book is a professional and user-friendly platform that provides a comprehensive collection of the latest and greatest web design inspiration and resources. With a vast collection of handpicked websites, you can find inspiration for your website, learn about new design trends, and discover new techniques. The platform is easy to navigate, and it allows you to filter designs by industry, layout, and design elements, making it easy to find the inspiration you need. Pros - Moodboard: you can save what you like to a fav folder, you can also filter color, industry, typography, and so on - Responsive: access from any device and see what the sites look like in mobile view Cons - Not much to say here 5. Best Website Gallery

Best Website Portfolio, or BWG, is a highly selected gallery of quality web design inspiration managed by David Hellmann, a self-taught & award-winning Digital Designer & Developer with over twelve years of work experience. Best Website Gallery, or BWG, has a tagging system to help you identify sites faster based on their color palette, style, CMS, framework, and other factors. On top of that best Website Gallery itself is a well-designed website.` Pros - Preview Page: One of the few sites that puts all the main pages as a collection without leaving the site - Share Button: You can easily save or send to whatever place you save your design ideas with is very helpful Cons - Ads: oh, well ... but who doesn't have those these days! 6. Landingfolio

Landing Folio is a powerful and user-friendly platform designed to help web designers and developers showcase their work in an elegant and professional way. It offers a wide range of customizable templates and options that allow users to create personalized sites that perfectly represents their style and brand. Landing Folio also provides a range of features to make it easy to share your portfolio with others, including social media integration, analytics, and the ability to add custom domains. Pros - Specialized in Landing pages: Landing Folio is specialized in showcasing and curating the best landing pages designs - Regularly updated: Landing Folio is regularly updated with new designs, which ensures that users always have access to the latest and greatest landing page designs. Cons - No comments/pins: does not have many community features such as a forum or commenting system

Best Underrated Web Design Inspiration

Step into the shadows of the web design world and uncover the hidden gems of inspiration. Our "Best Underrated" category is a treasure trove of overlooked and underappreciated website design sources that deserve a spotlight, no less impressive than our Popular Web Design Inspiration list above. 7. Design Inspiration

Designspiration has a lovely scrolling feed more suited to the design community. There's something for everyone, whether you're interested in web design, photography, or package design. It's simple and enjoyable, making the website a great place to unwind while also gaining some great ideas. It doesn't focus on any specific type of design inspiration, but it does provide you with the means to narrow in on specific themes if you choose. 8. httpster

httpster is an inspirational resource showcasing "totally rocking websites" made by people from all over the world. As stated on their website, but also as we see it. The thumbnails are smaller here, allowing you to view less per site but more of the total number of websites; this can be useful when you're just starting out with your design process and want to quickly speed through some quick ideas. From the thumbnail, you can navigate directly to the website. There are additional tags that allow you to filter them by Type and Style. There is a cool time ruler on the right - a genius way of showing you post times. 9. Muzli

A website (more like an extension) that is not well known but is quite strong. Muzli is a new-tab browser plugin and mobile app that provides relevant design stories and inspiration in real-time. Design inspiration, news, and trends tailored to your preferences – Muzli instantly provides cutting-edge design projects and news each time you open a new tab in your browser. Muzli blends automatic curation with human discovery, mining prominent web sources such as Dribbble, Behance, Designspiration, Mashable, Techcrunch, and over 150 more, to identify the greatest design inspiration and news that you won't find with a web search. Wow! 10. Godly

Godly.Website is easy to navigate "astronomically good web design" platform curated by a team of experts who carefully select only the best websites to showcase, and allows you to filter designs by industry, layout, and design elements. They have a subscription newsletter where you'll receive new design ideas via email. With this site, you can elevate your skills and push the boundaries of what's possible with your website. 11. Ui Jar

UI Jar is the ultimate destination for UI design inspiration and resources. We understand the importance of creating a seamless user experience, and that's why we've curated a collection of the best UI design elements from around the web. Our platform features a wide range of UI elements, such as forms, buttons, navigation, and more, that can serve as inspiration for your next project. The platform is easy to navigate and it allows you to filter UI elements by category, color, and style, making it easy to find the inspiration you need. Additionally, UI Jar also provides a library of UI design elements that you can download and use in your own projects. Whether you're a designer, developer, or business owner, UI Jar is the perfect tool to help you create a beautiful and functional user interface. 12. Envato Web-Templates

This one needs no introduction. Millions of people visit Envato every day to purchase and sell creative assets, use smart design templates, study creative skills, and even hire freelancers. Envato, with an industry-leading marketplace and an unlimited subscription service, assists creatives like you in completing projects more quickly. (Oops did we just introduce it?) - It's not exactly surprising that Envato has a sub-page dedicated to inspired website designs. The filters are also unique you can do "Responsive", "For Retina Display", "Admin Templates", "PSD Included" and so on. Envato is geared toward the Pros.

Unique Sources of Web Design Inspiration

Our Unique sources of Web Design Inspiration category are a breath of fresh air in a sea of sameness. Here, you'll find a curated selection of the most one-of-a-kind and unusual web design inspiration resources on the internet. From avant-garde layouts to out-of-the-box functionality, these websites will challenge your perception of what a website can be. 13. Commerce Cream (For Shopify)

Commerce Cream selects and exclusively highlights the best attractive commerce experiences on Shopify. Some of the most visually appealing eCommerce website designs are submitted by design companies. If you're seeking eCommerce design ideas, Commerce Cream is a great place to start. One of the downsides of this minimal website is there is no search or filter functionality. This can sometimes be helpful though if you're looking to randomize your design vibration. 14. Elementor Monthly Showcase (For Elementor Sites)

Every month, Elementor investigates some of the top sites made with its own tool from across the world. The chosen designs highlight Elementor's tremendous capabilities as well as the results that both beginners and experts may produce with it. We adore this tool because we utilized it to create our own website too. If you want to try something new, this is a great place to start because you can get ideas from a variety of industries, like travel, movies, food, and more. 15. Webflow Showcase(Webflow)

Webflow is another platform-specific inspiration catalog. If you use Webflow, the Webflow Showcase is an excellent location to get website design ideas for your own work. However, the ideas can be used by creatives outside of the Webflow community, albeit not as effectively. Webflow is a program similar to Elementor that allows you to design a website without using any code, with creative potential that extends far beyond templates. And they collect works completed using their own tool; the result? Webflow Showcase. 16. Calltoidea (Web Elements)

This isn't just a website; it's also a tool. Login Pages, Galleries, Lists, 404s, Forms, Popups, Testimonials, Dashboards... the list goes on and on. Calltoidea can help you locate great patterns to base your work on or diverge from whenever you need them. What I like about it is that these aren't designed genres or categories, but rather elements/sections of a website that you could need - which is quite useful. 17. Cssdesignawards

Another very curated place to find inspiration. It’s a web design & development award platform for digital folk, UI/UX peeps, and inspiring leaders of the web. Similar to Awwwards in its character. The list is even refined with innovation and uniqueness when it comes to Cssdesignawards. You can browse and search for projects. You can also submit your work if you want to be nominated. 18. Siiimple

As the name suggests, Siiimple is a place where you'll find simple and minimal web designs. Siiimple is a minimalist CSS gallery. A hand-picked, obsessively curated collection of the most beautiful websites on the internet.

More Sources of Web Design Inspiration (Cause we feel like it)

Our Unique sources of Web Design Inspiration category are a breath of fresh air in a sea of sameness. Here, you'll find a curated selection of the most one-of-a-kind and unusual web design inspiration resources on the internet. From avant-garde layouts to out-of-the-box functionality, these websites will challenge your perception of what a website can be. 19. One Page Love One Page Love is the most popular exhibition of stunning One Page websites, themes, and resources. 20. CSS DSGN The simplest and most random one on this list. Go to CSS DSGN and see for yourself, just a text list of websites A to Z. 21. Best Product Websites BestProductSites is an expertly curated platform that provides a comprehensive collection of the latest and greatest product design inspiration and resources. 22. Email Love Emaillove is a comprehensive platform that provides inspiration, resources, and best practices for creating effective email marketing campaigns 23. Minimal Gallery The place where less is definitely more! Showcasing the beauty in simplicity, say goodbye to sensory overload and hello to a curated collection of minimalistic designs. 24. Abduzeedo (ABDZ) Read the full article

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Digital Minimalism: Actionable Strategies for Navigating the Digital Noise

A famous author once said, “Any half-awake materialist well knows – that which you hold holds you.” Does your pen or paper overwhelm you in your daily life? One rarely hears a speaker say "please put away your pen/paper" during a meeting. The tool serves its intended purpose and tucks away in its rightful place when it’s not needed. But your phone? Calls, Texts, Notifications, Social Media Updates ... "Ping", Overwhelming! You arrive at the office to find 37 unread emails waiting for your attention, what's more? You need to finish that marketing content that will probably involve getting lost in the endless abyss of YouTube, of course for "Research" purposes. By the time you get home, you're so mentally exhausted that you can barely focus on spending quality time with your family, let alone resist the pull of streaming services like Netflix. To be honest, you're not alone in this struggle against the constant interruptions that prevent you from getting things done. According to Forbes, Instagram was the second most used service, and it remained most popular among Gen-Z users, who spent almost 1 hour per day! Digital Minimalism offers a solution to this problem, by providing strategies and tools for decluttering your digital life and taking back control of your time and attention. Unlike popular belief, Digital Minimalism is not about deleting your social media accounts, you might not even need to do that to become a Digital Minimalist. In this guide, we will explore the core principles of Digital Minimalism, We will also provide a 21-day action plan and a case study to help you implement Digital Minimalism in your own life. We will also touch upon the concept of digital noise and how to navigate it with the help of some tools and apps. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of how to simplify your digital life and make space for the things that are worth spending time (and mental bandwidth) on.

What is Digital Minimalism?

Digital minimalism is a type of Minimalism that has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years, as more and more people are realizing the negative impact that technology and the constant stream of information can have on our lives. The term was popularized by the Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University, Cal Newport, who wrote the book "Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World". Minimalism is a philosophy that prioritizes simplicity and the elimination of unnecessary distractions. In the context of personal technology, digital minimalism is the practice of being intentional and purposeful about the digital tools and apps we use, in order to create a more fulfilling and productive life. It's about understanding the true value of the digital experiences we consume and choosing to limit or eliminate those that don't serve a meaningful purpose. Do your likes and shares serve a meaningful purpose? Sure YouTube recommends videos related to your search, or Instagram shoves your home page with things you like, but in many cases, we never asked for or truly desired this flood of information. The truth is, these digital spaces are often optimized for advertising and profit, leaving it to the user how to navigate the overwhelming amount of content. You're a Digital Minimalist if you: - possess the rare ability to identify the activities that bring you true fulfillment and satisfaction - have the discipline to leave behind the digital distractions that only serve to cloud your mind - can hold a meaningful conversation without the constant need to check your phone - are free from the compulsion to document every moment - can lose yourself in a captivating book, a creative art project, or a peaceful hike - stay informed on current events, but refuse to be consumed and overwhelmed by the endless news cycle. - You don't suffer from the FOMO (fear of missing out) because you understand that true success and happiness lies within mastering your own time and attention

What’s Digital Noise Anyways?

No, I don’t mean the random pixels scattered all over an image (although ironic)! Digital noise or Digital distraction in our context refers to the constant influx of information and distractions that we are bombarded daily basis through our electronic devices and online platforms. This can include notifications from social media, email alerts, pop-up ads, and even the endless scroll of news and content on websites. An example of digital noise would be checking your phone every few minutes for notifications or updates, even when you know that there is nothing new or important to see. Another example would be getting lost in a social media rabbit hole, spending hours mindlessly scrolling through your feed instead of focusing on more important tasks. Digital noise can also refer to the overwhelming amount of information we try to take in on a daily basis, such as trying to stay on top of the news, "multi-tasking" (we'll get to that in a bit) and the constant need to be connected with the world. It's not just the ringing, buzzing, and vibrating that compete for our attention; it's the information hidden behind the noise, begging to be viewed, shared, or rewatched. Digital noise not only affects our productivity and mental ability to focus, but according to this Study from Harvard Business Review, it can also hurt our emotional well-being and our quality of sleep.

The Multi-Tasking Myth

Multitasking is a modern-day myth! We all think we're amazing at it, but the truth is that there is no such thing as actual multitasking. According to American Psychological Association research, when we go from one task to another, our brain experiences a lag time while transferring attention. This lag time can take up to 40% longer on the overall session than if we focused just on one activity at a time. But what's the actual kicker? According to the study, those who thought they were outstanding multitaskers made more mistakes and took longer to complete tasks than those who didn't think they were frequent multitaskers. Quality work comes from focusing on one thing at a time. And that's why Digital Minimalism considers multi-tasking as digital noise. "Multitasking" has become the norm in today's fast-paced digital world. It's important to remember that, the constant switching between tasks creates background pins of paused activities in our brains, making it difficult to focus and stay productive. Because in reality, the brain can only be shown in one direction at any given moment and exhibits a particular phenomenon called Inattention Blindness. The worst part of multi-tasking is that it creates a false sense of accomplishment and keeps us feeling busy, while actually achieving less. In a world where technology is designed to distract us, multitasking is just another form of digital noise that we need to eliminate.

What do I benefit from becoming a Digital Minimalist?

And as technology continues to infiltrate every aspect of our lives, it's becoming increasingly important to apply these principles to our digital lives as well. Take Nate O'Brien, a personal finance and productivity Youtuber, for example. He emphasizes the importance of having a phone that is organized and uncluttered, just as much as having a clean and organized physical space. It's a reminder that our digital lives are just as important as our physical ones, and that taking control of them is essential for achieving our goals and living our best lives. Nate adds "I have a rule of thumb that if I use an app less than once a week I will delete it ..." Digital Minimalism can bring a host of benefits, both in terms of productivity and overall well-being. One of the most significant benefits is an increase in focus and productivity. When we are constantly bombarded with distractions and interruptions, it's challenging to stay on task and get things done. By decluttering our digital lives and eliminating unnecessary distractions, we can create a more conducive environment for getting work done.

Another benefit of digital minimalism is the ability to form deeper connections with others. For example, if you value staying connected with friends and family, then social media apps like Facebook and Instagram may serve a purpose in your life. But if you find yourself spending hours scrolling through memes and videos, it's time to re-evaluate your relationship with those apps. Social media and other digital tools have made it easier to stay in touch with friends and family, but they can also lead to a sense of disconnection. By spending less time on our devices, we can focus more on face-to-face interactions, which research has shown is essential for building and maintaining relationships. In a nutshell, Digital Minimalism is all about taking back your time and making your ally in the day-to-day progressions towards your beloved goals. And don't worry, as we'll see you don't have to be a monk to achieve this! Here are some key benefits you'll reap from becoming a Digital Minimalist: - Intentionality: recognize when we're being driven by habit or compulsion and make a conscious choice about how we use technology. - Simplification: reduce the number of apps, notifications, and social media accounts that become one more unwanted step in achieving a task. - Priority: prioritize offline interactions, activities, and hobbies that don't involve screens and technology. - Mindfulness: be aware of the impact that technology has on your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and regularly check in on its use.

How to become a Digital Minimalist

“Digital minimalism definitively does not reject the innovations of the internet age, but instead rejects the way so many people currently engage with these tools.” -- Cal Newport Becoming a digital minimalist doesn't have to be an overwhelming process. Although it won't happen overnight, with a little bit of planning and determination, you can make meaningful changes in your relationship with technology. Here's a 21-day action plan to help you get started: 7-Steps to Freedom / Checklist Get the full Checklist here: MNML Checklist Step 1: Define and Audit Take stock of all the apps, websites, and digital tools you currently use. Ask yourself which ones are truly necessary and which ones are just taking up space. For some, this can be a long list of Apps, Accounts, Files, Devices, and so on. Step 2: Unsubscribe and Unfollow Review and cull your email and social media subscriptions, unfollowing accounts, and individuals that no longer align with your goals or priorities. Limit your social media following to a select few accounts that align with your business, education, or other key areas of focus. Evaluate and uninstall any apps that you rarely use or have replaced with other tools or methods. Declutter your devices by removing unnecessary files and folders (including that huge downloads folder) to streamline your digital space. Step 3: Set Boundaries Decide on specific times during the day when you will not use your phone or other devices. And make time for productivity sessions. During those sessions use only a select few productive tools. Eliminate distractions. Turn off notifications for non-essential apps and use apps that help you stay focused. Step 4: Prioritize Offline Drop all major tech sessions and put most of your distracting devices away, like your phone. Or put it on focus mode with no notifications. Make a list of activities you enjoy doing offline that come after work, such as reading, spending time with friends and family, and exercising, and make sure to schedule time for them every day. Practice mindfulness exercises. Improve your raw communications skills (no "Like" buttons involved). Take time to be present at the moment and pay attention to your thoughts and emotions. Step-5: The Good ol' Paper You're probably thinking: "I'm not going to go that far", writing by hand can help to improve focus and concentration. Studies have shown that the act of physically writing something down (even with no undo button) can help to solidify information in your memory, making it easier to recall later on. Using a pen and paper can also be a more effective method of brainstorming and idea generation. It allows for a more free-flowing and organic process, as opposed to typing on a keyboard, which can be more rigid and structured. Step-6: Let Technology Back (The Right Way) Once you have experienced the benefits of a more minimalist approach to technology, you can begin to reintroduce the tools that are truly essential to your life and work. Carefully consider which apps and devices align with your core values and prioritize their use. For example, it may be necessary to continue utilizing email for professional communication and business management. However, strive to maintain a minimalistic approach by limiting the use of technology to only those tools that are truly essential. Step-7: Happily Miss Out on the Rest With a curated list of essential tools and apps, a well-defined set of operating procedures, and a selection of meaningful activities to fill your time, you can confidently navigate the digital landscape without the constant need to check social media or stay updated on the latest news. With all that time and mental space left over it's now time to fill the gap with real things like gratitude, self-worth, and critical thinking. "The digital world is a mere shadow of reality. A fleeting mirage of true existence. In its alluring glow, we lose ourselves, caught in the endless scroll of comparison and deceit. But true life awaits, beckoning us to break free from the shackles of the virtual and embrace the beauty of the tangible." -- Xrilion

Will it really impact my mental health and well-being?

One of the most obvious physical effects of prolonged technology use is that it keeps us seated for long periods of time. This can lead to a host of health problems, such as obesity, back pain, and poor circulation. Additionally, staring at screens for long periods of time can cause eye strain, headaches, and other eye-related problems. One of the most significant impacts of technology on our mental health is the constant comparison that it encourages. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are built around the idea of sharing our lives with others, and this can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. Research has shown that social media use is linked to depression, particularly in teenagers, and that it can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Another important aspect of technology's impact on our mental health is the way it affects our sleep patterns. The blue light emitted by screens suppresses melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. This can lead to chronic sleep deprivation, which has been linked to a host of health problems, including depression, anxiety, and heart disease. Read more on this: Brain Health Consequences of Digital Technology Use

Tools and Apps to help you navigate the digital noise

Productivity apps are the unsung heroes of our daily grind. These digital tools have become an essential part of our lives as they help us stay organized, focused, and on top of our daily tasks. These apps offer a wide range of features, from helping us clear our minds and stay focused, to tracking our sleep and exercise habits. With the plethora of options available, it can be overwhelming to navigate through them all. But fear not, for with the right app, you can streamline your daily routine and achieve your goals of a more productive and fulfilling life in no time. As it should be, we'll keep this list minimal and to the point:

Headspace The ultimate mindfulness and meditation app for a clear mind and better focus Go there

Notion The all-in-one productivity tool for organizing your thoughts, tasks, and projects in one place Go there

Google Calendar The go-to calendar app for staying organized and on top of your schedule Go there

Niagara A minimalist and customizable launcher for a faster and more efficient phone experience Go there

Google Drive Cloud storage and collaboration platform for all your files and documents Go there

Forest A gamified digital minimalism app that helps you stay focused and on task Go there

Conclusion

Digital Minimalism is a powerful tool for taking back control of your time and attention in the digital age. By focusing on clarity of purpose, intentionality, simplification, and prioritization, you can declutter your digital life. The 7-Step action plan provided in this blog can serve as a guide for those looking to implement digital minimalism in their own lives. Read the full article

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