Daniel Sih - Spacemaker: How to Unplug, Unwind and Think Clearly in the Digital Age

PRAISE FOR SPACEMAKER

Working-parent guilt? Digitally distracted? Spacemaker will remind you of whats really important to live a fulfilling, happy and healthy life, and how to achieve it.

CATH ANDREW, HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES, STARBUCKS AUSTRALIA

A stimulating and practical guide for leaders who crave time to think and reflect on what matters most.

DR YVONNE THOMPSON CBE, FOUNDER/CEO, WINTRADE GLOBAL; AUTHOR; INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED CAMPAIGNER FOR EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Daniels philosophy and tools have helped me create the sanctuary of space. If you want to take control of your life, read this book.

EVANGELISTA ALBERTINI, CEO, HYDRO TASMANIA

Daniels productivity tools and habits have helped me to organise myself, and others, off the football field. Read this book!

JACK RIEWOLDT, AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALLER, PREMIERSHIP VICE-CAPTAIN, ALL-AUSTRALIAN AND COLEMAN MEDALLIST

Spacemaker is a compelling journey into the roots of human productivity. Its a gem.

ALAN HIRSCH, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR

The most productive people I know are the ones who are able to create the most space to think and rest. This book will show you how.

JORDAN RAYNOR, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF REDEEMING YOUR TIME

Spacemaker is the book Ive been subconsciously waiting for. A great mix of personal stories, concepts and practical tips.

CARNEY ELIAS, LIEUTENANT COLONEL, AUSTRALIAN ARMY

Spacemaker is not a polemic; it is a map, navigating our strange relationship with technology and time.

BRIAN SANDERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE UNDERGROUND NETWORK

Daniel Sih is the best kind of author a scholar-practitioner. Spacemaker is a beautiful blend of scholarly insight and research, practical wisdom and actionable tips. I read it in one sitting.

DR ANDREW KATAY, CEO, CITY TO CITY AUSTRALIA

Making space is greatly desired but rarely obtained. Spacemaker shows us how we might achieve this while fulfilling the responsibilities of a busy role.

SIMON WARRICK, CEO, EMPART AUSTRALIA

Daniel Sih outlines practical solutions for a peaceful and productive life. A must read in an ever-busier world.

SARA COOPER, ACADEMY DIRECTOR, COOPER SCREEN ACADEMY

Daniel shows us how to create margin and balance in an overpacked life. I now know what to give each of my leadership team this Christmas.

RICK NEWTON, FOUNDER, ASPIRANT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING FIRM

A sobering and necessary wake-up call, offering intellectual richness and pragmatic guidance towards a better path ahead.

JAY KIM, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR

I loved this book so much that I am paying my kids to read it. Read it. Live it. You wont regret it.

SIMON HOLLEY, TEAM LEADER, CATALYST NETWORK

Highly practical and super helpful, but be warned: Daniel Sih does not just present a series of techniques for decluttering our schedules; he wants us to remake ourselves into different people.

MICHAEL FROST, BESTSELLING AUTHOR

A rebellious book to help us busy people reflect, take action and make space!

JANE HILLIARD, FOUNDING DIRECTOR, DESIGNFUL

Daniels story of making space in his busy life is one we can all gain from an easy to read, clear guide for a busy person.

RICHARD STOKES, CEO, AUSTRALIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION

Finally! A practical, real-world guide for anyone truly desiring a healthy and balanced relationship with technology. Pick up Spacemaker if youre serious about finding joy and fulfilment away from the screen.

BRANDON SCHAEFER, FOUNDER/CEO, FIVE CAPITALS COACHING

Read this book as fast as possible, preferably with your phone turned off.

MISSY WALLACE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, REDEEMER CITY TO CITY, NEW YORK

A new and rich way of carving out space for the things that really matter.

MARK SAYERS, SENIOR LEADER, RED CHURCH; PODCAST HOST; BESTSELLING AUTHOR

First published in 2021 by 100 Movements Publishing

www.100Mpublishing.com

Copyright 2021 by Daniel Sih

www.100Mpublishing.com

www.movementleaderscollective.com

www.catalysechange.org

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

The author has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this book, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

Some names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version Anglicised, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

ISBN 978-1-7355988-6-4 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-955142-02-1 (ebook)

Cover design and interior illustrations by Tom Smith / commmotion.co

Interior design by Revo Creative Ltd.

100 Movements Publishing

An imprint of Movement Leaders Collective

Cody, Wyoming

To my friend and business partner, Tim Hynes,
who shares a vision for a world with more space.

Nobody can switch worlds unless an alternative world is made richly available with great artistry, care and boldness.

WALTER BRUEGGEMANN

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

I first met Amy in a bustling caf in Sydney. She contacted me to help her reorganise her overflowing inbox and online to-do lists. A finance executive in a global fashion company, Amy had everything a dream job, a city apartment, a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. But Amy had a nagging feeling that something was amiss. Life should have been perfect, but it wasnt.

After hearing Amys story, it soon became apparent that email and to-do lists were not her greatest challenge. Amy was addicted to the churn of activity and constant distraction associated with a professional lifestyle. Like many of us, she had forgotten how to be unbusy. Increasingly reliant on her devices, Amy was losing her capacity to stop and breathe. Her life was a flurry of online activity emails, social media and other applications as well as juggling the constant demands of family life. Amy rarely stopped to think or plan anymore, let alone rest deeply.

Concerned by her relentless tiredness, Amys husband suggested she work fewer nights and switch off her devices after dinner. He was frustrated by her lack of presence and wanted to help her regain some vitality. Amy agreed but struggled to follow through, hiding her online behaviours from her family. She found herself habitually in the bathroom scanning emails, and sneaking out of bed to complete PowerPoint presentations. Late one night, Amys husband returned home to find her fast asleep. Only she wasnt. Her iPad was still warm, and she was pretending to be asleep. Caught red-handed in the act of overworking, Amy felt like a naughty schoolkid. She had broken a promise to her family and to herself, compelling her to reassess her priorities and her habits.