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minimalism. The first is a subtractive approach. This involves removing
each digital tool, service, or associated behavior that you find doesn’t
add value to your life. One by one, survey each element of digital
clutter you’ve accumulated and ask yourself if it deserves to stay. If not,
remove it.

The other approach is an additive method. It involves removing
everything initially, and adding back only those tools, services or
behaviors that do serve your values.

With either of these approaches, you could use RescueTime to show
you which distracting tools and services take up most of your time.
If you use the subtractive approach, your RescueTime data could
also show you how much more productive you are when you cut out
everything you can do without, and how that changes as you start
adding things back into your life.

Either way, the most important thing, says Newport, is to make sure
you’re choosing the best tool or service in each case, not just whatever
will do the job.

Choose the best tool for the job

Many of us fall prey to the easy option of finding value in every digital
tool we use. It’s not hard to make an argument for spending time on
Facebook or having a Twitter account. You could even argue the merits

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