Spacemaker: How to unplug, unwind and think clearly in the digital age

by Daniel Sih

Winner: Australian Business Book Award 2021 (Best Personal Development Book)

Finalist: Australian Business Book Award 2021 (Best Technology Book)

Busy and reactive?
Struggling to focus?
Craving time for relationships?

If so, perhaps it’s time to make space in your world for the things that really matter.

What if you could be productive and rested by living an ordered, rhythmical life? What if habitually unplugging from digital technology was not simply a means of surviving week by week but a strategy to produce your best work and live your best life?

Spacemaker will help you:

- Discover why your productivity suffers when you overuse digital technology.
- Explore timeless principles to make space in the distraction of digital life.
- Implement a series of practices to think deeply, rest fully and spend more time with loved ones away from a screen.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

“Read this book!”
- JACK RIEWOLDT, AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALLER, PREMIERSHIP VICE-CAPTAIN, ALL-AUSTRALIAN AND COLEMAN MEDALLIST

"A gem."
- ALAN HIRSCH, INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

"This life-changing book will remind you of what's really important to live a fulfilling, happy and healthy life."
- CATH ANDREW, HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES, STARBUCKS AUSTRALIA

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Technology, How To, Health

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2021

About the author

Daniel Sih is the co-founder and director of Spacemakers, a productivity consulting group for busy leaders.

His book "Spacemaker" won the Australian Business Book Award in 2021 for Personal Development, and has been shortlisted for myriad awards.

"Raising Tech-Healthy Humans" is his newest book, empowering parents' to reset their children's tech habits and give them a great start to life.

Daniel lives in Tasmania, Australia with his wife, Kylie, and their three children, Naomi, Caleb and Jethro. He also keeps fourteen Barnevelder chickens who eat a lot of grain, and lay too few eggs.

To learn more about Daniel and his work, please visit www.spacemakers.com.au and www.raisinghumans.au

Reviews

[Timshynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to understand my own habits and mindset with technology. Made me think a lot about how much importance and time I place on my connectedness!

[Nate Xing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I approached this book with scepticism but came away pleasantly surprised!

A great book on making space and building a good rhythm into the busyness of our lives. Perhaps I should be posting less on Goodreads…

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don't have time to read this book, you need to read this book! (And if you do have time, what are you waiting for??)

Refreshing, timely, and necessary: that's how I would describe this book. Sih has masterfully offered up surprising depth and breadth in the key issues framing our existence within these pages - without serving up a dense or depressing platter. That is a feat.

We all live alongside the challenge of digital technology and its brilliance as a tool for productivity and simultaneous behemoth capacity to chew us up and spit us out. Sih provides a storied, researched, yet simply-stated rationale for how to make real space in the digital age. And not just 'space' for the sake of it, but to carve out head, heart and body space for things that really matter - to discover who we are, who we love and what we love, and how to contribute in this world.

So many books just tell us what or how to think, but not this one. One of the gold threads in this read is the practical tips Sih serves up at the end of every chapter - principled, relatable, doable, and (if you do them!) life-changing.

Again, read this book: in it, you'll find out how to work from your rest (yes, you read that right) and learn how to master your screens rather than let them master you. Get reading!

[Karrie Malan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Space Maker is an engaging, thought provoking and inspiring read that offers suggestions, questions and practical tips to to help us to see the value of carving out space and time to pause, rest and reflect, create habits that refresh us and are in line with our values and goals.

Summary pages and questions at the end of each chapter help readers to apply principles and paradigms to their own lives, both in a work context and for home life.

Space Maker would be perfect for discussion in book clubs, leadership groups or church groups. It includes interesting historical and cultural references, and comparisons to our contemporary culture.

Space Makers includes a nice balance of both leadership/business/productivity content and also self help/wellness/life coaching.

It’s so easy to drift into digital, lifestyle and work habits where we feel busy and drained, like we don’t have enough time or energy for the important or fun things or life.

Being purposeful with our habits, and creating boundaries and margins in life is so helpful in so many realms of life:
boosting productivity in sustainable ways, improving relationships, and improving our physical and mental health. I see this both in my own life and also those of many of my patients.

Space Maker has been helpful for me as a Physiotherapist and small business owner (12 staff) to take a step back and recognise the importance of allocating more time to be a good leader/boss: for looking ahead and planning proactively, for being available at set times for staff mentoring and problem solving rather than being too busy with my own workload and then being interrupted or easily distracted, unsuccessfully trying to juggle multiple tasks and fit the “extra stuff” into the gaps. By allocating time systematically it helped everything fit into place in a more efficient and less stressful way.

Highly recommend!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, have read it twice and will certainly revisit it. Unlike many other productivity / time management books, ‘Spacemaker’ covers and appreciates both the benefits of devices as well as the necessity to step away from them regularly (keeping pace and making space).

Further, the book goes beyond shallow life-hacks, and instead begins with paradigms and ends with eminently useful practices. I’ve read a lot on a day of rest and Sabbaths, and this is by far the best treatment of how to implement it in the unique circumstances of your own life that I’ve come across.

If you sit at the feet of Cal Newport as he weekly dispenses his wisdom via podcast, and are a big fan of his Deep Life Reset and 4 (or 5!) buckets, I’d highly recommend this book as complementary approach. I’ve found it immensely helpful.

[Mary Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Sih writes with great authenticity and expertise about the digital space of cluttered information and overloaded lives. His own background of physiotherapy, productivity consultant, parent and spiritual leader gives a well rounded approach and challenge for the reader to assess the problem, work on the solutions and enjoy a new freedom. I found the research fascinating and relevant, if not deeply concerning for our younger generations. Yet I also found Sih's solution of unplugging for at least a day a week to be a sensible solution to manage the world we find ourselves in. I am already trying to find that day- it's hard. I'm buying the book for each of my adult children. This is a book with ideas that could change our generation!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely timely and arrived in the mail at a time half way through a month's sabbatical.
It has helped frame the way that I conduct my sabbatical, my rest, and in addition has given me food for thought about how to reframe my life entering back into my busy life.

Well worth the read and gives realistic and practical advice on how to create mental and physical space in ones life.

[Emma Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came at a perfect time for me - changes at work and a new position has had me feeling stressed and overloaded, with essential things slipping off the bottom of my seemingly endless "to do" list. I like the way the book taps into the science of brain plasticity, and provides small/limited as well as broad and far-reaching ways you can change your life. For me, it's a journey towards having more abundant space in my life, but this book is a great resource that will be continue to be alongside me in this journey.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read!
Interesting and captivating at every turn.
I had so many lightbulb moments while reading and I think this book really spoke into what I've been craving.
Highly recommend!

[Lionel and Suzanne Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the spirit of Covey's Seven Habits

This was a highly engaging read from start to finish. Daniel sets a clear and solid foundation for why some connections matter and the common distractions that can get in the way. He then lays out a simple and powerful set of strategies for maintaining mastery over our time so that we can invest in connections that matter most.

As a person of faith, I also appreciated the way Daniel Sih, like Covey before him, used timeless principles of faith to breathe life to concepts of modern productivity.

[Sophie Calic · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know a book is good when you find yourself quoting from it at work, home and with friends!

This is one of those books - highly practical and an engaging read. We are all dealing with the challenge of managing digital tech and increasingly ‘busy’ lives. This book shines a light on the issues and points to a very-doable set of practices to make real change.

I enjoyed the mix of theory and practical advice and found the chapter summaries really helped me digest the key messages.

I would recommend this book to anyone living in this century!

[Rob Imberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh take on a stale genre!

The quest for better productivity, whilst maintaining work-life balance, ironically produces frazzled and burnout people, and the problem isn't solved by reading most books on the topic. Except this one.

Daniel Sih has written convincingly and refreshingly on human flourishing in a digital age (or, in his parlance, how to "make space"). A key strength of the book is its realistic take on contemporary life, as Sih admits the presence and helpfulness of many technologies we enjoy. You won't walk away guilty about owning your smartphone, though you may get the feeling your smartphone owns you.

Drawing wisdom from philosophers and theorists, ancient and modern, Sih gets readers to examine their hearts: 'What really matters? Why am I resistant to silence? How does my technology use impact my family? When did I last truly rest?' Tellingly, the fourth and final section of "Spacemaker" is the one entitled "Practices" - do you know many productivity authors committed to sorting out root issues for 150+ pages before pitching their plan?

With good humour and genuine affection for people, "Spacemaker" challenges those who want to make a change, no matter their industry or life-stage, as Sih encourages that such change really is possible. And look out for the excellent appendices to help take your next step.

[Andrew Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for our age. Daniel presents a clear and inspiring guide to not only considering what is of real value to you in life (I can tell you it's not your facebook account!) and then provides some practical guidance to make some positive shifts to regaining balance in our lives in our age of encroaching technology. I found the book both re-affirming of areas I knew about, inspiring me to take action in those areas (convert from knowing about to doing), and providing a range of 'aha' suggestions for improvement. This book is about evolutionary change in our behaviour and a realistic approach to rebalancing. One of the most interesting exercise is to log your digital connections- how much time do you spend each day interacting with your digital services. I was more than a little surprised. I was surprised even more actually how challenging it is to change that behaviour 'cold-turkey' hence the evolutionary approach described in Spacemaker is of great value . What I particularly like about Daniel's writing style is he doesn't preach rather he gently nudges those thought processes encouraging reflection and providing support as if you wish to accept change. Spacemaker is a great guide to getting your life back in control and balance and shifting from service to digital technology to digital technology servicing us on our own grounds. An inspirational read and very positive addition to the library.

[Richard Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel's book takes you on a journey to think deeply about yourself, your relationships, your connections and what is really important to you in your life. The clear and simple suggestions made throughout give great guidance about how to take control of all parts of your life - and to ensure your relationships are the key.
Definitely worth taking the time to read and reflect!

[Rob Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Space

I found this book filled with perspective and practical helps. The author deals with the problem of overusing a good thing. Technology is neither good or bad of itself. It is how we use the technology that makes the difference. This book is filled with thoughts and ideas about the use and misuse of tech. It also contains helpful tips for learning how to unplug when needed. I would recommend this book to anyone using technology.

[Margaret Jones]

I love this book! Daniel's writing is beautifully clear and a pleasure to read. His research is impeccable and the examples he gives to illustrate points are rich and instructive. The structure of the book makes his offerings highly accessible and ready to implement.

[Nigel Fortescue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make space and enjoy the adventure.

This is an excellent, thought provoking, funny and enjoyable read. From researched principles to do-able application it does not disappoint.

If you don’t have time to read it, you probably need to read it.

[Katrina Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must have and must read or listen to – even if you don’t think you have time to do it. I once thought I never had enough time to fit everything into my very busy life. I cut too many corners, I juggled too many things, tried to be everything to everyone and I was overwhelmed by constant emails, messages, calendar invites and the expectation to respond to various social media applications.
The information and real-life experiences Daniel shares in his book will help you to make small changes which can make a positive difference to your life and how you connect with those who are important to you. Daniel provides some simple healthy digital habits that can have such a beneficial effect on all aspects of your life. So go on make space in your life and read or listen to Space Maker. It may very well be the best thing you have done in a very long time and it has certainly put me on the path of implementing some small changes that are making a big difference.

[Katrina Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read all year. Initially I could read for only 2 minutes at a time, so plugged to technology was I. As I continued to read, I realised I had an addiction to scrolling the News on my smart phone. I had little life outside of work, sport and technology. I was in serious need of unplugging and unwinding.
The book has given me great ways to make space in my life to reflect and pursue creative interests. I'm playing the piano again, and writing short letters to my grandchildren about my childhood. I've started decluttering my phone of apps, and silencing the notifications. No doubt I'll relapse at times, but this book has shown me how to be a "considered adopter, rather than an uninformed consumer."

[Jingwen Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

😃

谢谢thank you! I really enjoyed reading this book.

I especially like it when the author talked about how we’re idolizing our phone because of how amazing it is. It is similar to the concept of attachment in Buddhism, which is what bring suffering.

I also appreciate the author being inclusive about different religions, he sounds to be very cultured and open to differences, which made me very comfortable learning about his religious views and the wisdom within.

I also find the author’s childhood trip in the wood to be a fascinating experience, that reminds me to appreciate life and how much convenience we have.

[Andrew Mellor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do yourself a favour read this book.

A research rich look at how technology impacts our ability to: use our time effectively; find time to reflect; be healthier.

Daniel uses his own life experience to inform, provide principles and put into practice simple but effective ways to remove clutter. Be more effective and live a fuller life by being more present!

Make changes in your own life.
Then follow up with Daniel Sih’s other book “Raising Tech Health Humans”, which focuses on your children!

[Wendy Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the concepts in this book and the delivery. The author acknowledges both the best and worst of technology use so that we can find a way to breathe in the digital age. He writes with both thoughtful, researched information and good old storytelling. If you want freedom from the tyranny of your devices without tossing them, then read this. I particularly liked the practical ideas around intentional use.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book has a lot of merit, but I found it to be a bit too repetitive. My audiobook loan ran out before I finished and I'm not really inspired enough to renew it, so I'll leave it at a dnf. It had some really good points, which I remember thinking "wow" when I heard them, but trying to write the review a few weeks later, I can't remember them.

[Andrew Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read! Thought provoking in terms of the lives we live and the reach of technology, but also down to earth and practical in taking steps to make progress! Strongly recommend it to everyone to reflect on how we do things and places where we might tweak and adjust things to make gains and improvements!!

[Darnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the world of Essentialism and Cal Newport’s books about detoxing from digital addiction this book gives some of the best frameworks to think through: why to create space your life, how to create space and how to live within your priorities.

[Michael Shallvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. Lots of practical application / advice / wisdom for living well in the digital age. I appreciated all the references to modern research, other books and the Bible. Plenty here to put into practice!

[Heather Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life.
Developing a philosophy around technology and instituting a true day of rest has had a profound experience on my mind, mind, and dare I say - soul.
Thank you, Daniel!
Heather
p.s. can't wait for his next book!!

[Stacey Stearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and worked my way through it slowly, trying to absorb and apply it. I'll definitely be re-reading it in the future too, as the concepts that Daniel Sih introduced will need reminders, given the natural tendencies of the world we live in.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me think a lot about how I use technology and has good ideas for building in regular spacemaking practices. Highly recommend. I listened to the audiobook read by the author but recommend having a print copy available if you want to see the charts and diagrams sprinkled throughout.

[Simon-Pierre Bahembe-Mabiala]

Thank you for your heart to share this helpfull experience! Easy to read and so relevant !