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Founder's Story

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Hi there! My name is Dr. Anastasia Dedyukhina (but you can just call me Anastasia ;)). I founded Consciously Digital in 2015 — ironically, after spending more than 10 years in communications and digital marketing positions around the globe and getting paid to convince millions of people to use technology more often. 

   

As is typical for people who work in tech, I used to be connected 24/7. In my last corporate position, serving as a Client Director for a major tech brand, I got to the point where I was sleeping with my phone in my hand. I still didn’t think I had a problem until I started feeling my phone vibrating in my pocket — when I didn’t even have pockets! That was when I realized I needed to change my lifestyle if I wanted to stay sane.

 

After a lot of contemplation and some inspiration from friends, I decided to give up my smartphone altogether. It took me about 5 months, but when I finally did it I spent over a year and a half using a very basic phone that could only call and send text messages. It was the single best thing I'd done for myself in years. It freed up space in my head so I could focus on what really matters, be more creative, and feel the joy of being human.     

As I shared my story with others, I realized it reflected a growing problem on a global scale - one of people losing balance. So I founded Consciously Digital to address that problem. I wrote a book, was featured by the BBC, The Guardian, El Pais, Christian Science Monitor, and other global media. I even became a regular digital wellbeing columnist at the Huffington Post. I speak and teach all around the world about the impact of tech on our health, wellbeing, and productivity. With keynotes at major tech events such as Mobile World Congress, I encourage tech makers to adopt a more conscious and ethical approach to designing technology. Now, I am focusing on preparing the next generation of coaches to help others become consciously digital. As tech increasingly influences our lives, we need to be reminded how to be human – at work, at school, and in our personal lives.  
 
Let me be clear about one thing: I am not anti-tech. In fact, I am quite happy to run my business from my laptop, and I don't think everyone needs to give up their phone - I now use a smartphone again, but only as a backup device. At the same time, I believe that as technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, it’s essential for humans to have a balanced relationship with it so we can all lead more focused and meaningful lives. If that sounds like you, join the Consciously Digital movement today!    

Featured Videos

Could you live without a smartphone? | Anastasia Dedyukhina | TEDxWandsworth
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Could you live without a smartphone? | Anastasia Dedyukhina | TEDxWandsworth

Anastasia Dedyukhina ditched her smartphone, together with her senior international career in digital marketing, when she realized how dependent she had become on the gadget. Today she acts as a business mentor, supporting ethical tech startups, and runs Consciously Digital, helping companies and individuals be more productive and less stressed in an age of digital distraction. In her talk, Anastasia will explain why we feel the uncontrollable urge to check our smartphones all the time and share the valuable lessons she learned and the tips that helped her find the balance between her online and offline life. Having worked for 12+ years in senior digital marketing positions for global media and internet brands, and easily spending 16 hours a day connected and even sleeping with her phone, Anastasia eventually realised she needed to unplug to remain healthy and productive. Giving up her smartphone was the first step to creating Consciously Digital - a London-based training and coaching company that helps individual and corporate clients be more productive online, so that they can have more time for things that matter. Anastasia is a frequent speaker at global internet conferences on the topics of ethical tech and digital detox, as well as marketing in the age of digital distraction. She blogs for Huffington Post about digital detox, and is currently finalising her first book on the same subject. Anastasia was born in Russia, lived in six different countries, and has an MBA from SDA Bocconi (Italy) and NYU Stern (USA), and a PhD from Moscow State University. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Speaking at your event

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We'd love to help you select a Consciously Digital coach to come and speak at your event.
We cover topics related to our relationships with devices, including mental health, stress management, innovative and creative thinking in the digital age, digital transformation, future of workplace and new ways to work, social communication and social media etc.
All talks are interactive, are based on the latest credible research, and contain highly practical recommendations.
We have spoken at major international events like World Mobile Congress, and intimate executive events, in front of the audiences of 5 to 1000 people. We have extensive experience speaking at schools in front of younger audiences.
Contact us to book our founder Dr Anastasia Dedyukhina or one of Consciously Digital coaches to speak or do a seminar at your event.

Testimonials

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​Dr Adi Kuntsman

Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University

“I invited Anastasia to give a guest talk to final year undergraduate students on my course, “Digital living”, dedicated to social media and mobile technologies. Her presentation style was highly engaging, and she had the students’ attention from the start. The lecture was very interesting and informative, and the students really enjoyed the exercise of using no phones or laptops for 30 minutes, monitoring the amount of times they wanted to reach for their phone. “

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We are Consciously social! You can connect with us here:

  • Consciously Digital YouTube
  • Consciously Digital Facebook
  • Consciously Digital Twitter
  • Consciously Digital Slack
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