In a professional world where hyperconnectivity has become the norm, a new trend is emerging: JOMO, or “Joy Of Missing Out.” This concept directly opposes the well-known FOMO (“Fear Of Missing Out”), the constant fear of missing something important. Let’s take a closer look.
We were already familiar with FOMO, as well as FOBO (Fear of Being Obsolete) and FOPO (Fear of Other People’s Opinions)… Now, let’s explore “JOMO,” a sense of pleasure in disconnecting.
“There is great value in refocusing on what is important, stepping to the sidelines to concentrate on our tasks, projects, and responsibilities, and then returning to others,” explains Alexandre Rousseau, a lawyer, lecturer in the Department of Management at HEC Montréal, and business consultant, in an article for the magazine Gestion.
The expression is far from new. This neologism comes from American entrepreneur Anil Dash. In a 2012 blog post, he explained that after becoming a father, he realized that not only did he not regret putting his phone aside, but he actually found true satisfaction in doing so! It was a joy to miss out on certain events happening elsewhere.
A decade later, the term is still being used, notably on TikTok, where users openly embrace their disconnection—ironically, on a social network!
The Benefits of JOMO in the Workplace
Adopting JOMO in professional life has several advantages. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it helps:
- Increase productivity and focus
- Strengthen engagement in relationships
- Improve emotional and physical well-being
“JOMO is about focusing more on the quality of what you do rather than the quantity. Instead of trying to attend everything, it’s about truly prioritizing activities or relationships that matter most to you,” explains psychologist Susan Albers in the same publication.
How to Practice JOMO at Work?
Incorporating JOMO into a professional routine can take different forms:
- Disabling notifications during specific time slots
- Establishing periods of disconnection from work devices during breaks or even outside of work
- Clearly defining moments of unavailability to colleagues
This movement is clearly part of a broader search for balance. The goal is not to reject technology entirely but to use it more consciously and mindfully. In other words, to regain control over one’s digital relationship rather than being controlled by it.
“JOMO is about being able to live in the present moment. To appreciate what you are doing right now without looking left and right, feeling jealous or anxious about missing something,” explains Tali Gazit, an associate professor of information sciences at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, in an interview with The Washington Post.
For JOMO to truly take hold in professional environments, a shift in corporate culture is often necessary. Organizations must recognize the right to disconnect and value the quality of work rather than constant availability or presenteeism.
However, be careful not to swing from one extreme to another!
“If there is one downside to JOMO, it’s that FOMO can sometimes be a motivation to step out of your comfort zone and explore new things. Seeing what others are doing can give you new ideas you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise,” Susan Albers reminds us.
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