tip #1 block HNN & Redit while coding
tip #2 only check email once / hour.
tip #3 profit :-)
Productivity tips for the easily distracted
11–20 of 55 posts
Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted
#12I wonder how Jacques avoids the Internet distractions in his new setup as he still has a network connection. I am also the kind of person who gets distracted rather easily as I have a really broad spectrum of hobbies/interests. I've tried some similar approaches without much success. Back in old days when I was still a graduate student, I had a paper deadline due in a few days, but I was addictive in Slashdot discuss…
Your post highlights the core of the problem. Ultimately, productivity solutions have to include a recognition that technology can only enhance your self-control; it can't replace it. I, like you, have spent days trying to optimize my work space and computer for productivity. It was a waste of time.
The best way to get work done is to get somewhere where you can focus. This includes not just location, but also mindset. If I really want to focus, I have to train myself to avoid thoughts like, "it would be nice if those exceptions that I just added to my hosts file would update themselves based on my browsing habits..."
I go somewhere alone, pop in ear buds playing some type of non-distracting noise, shutdown my email client, turn off my phone, and go to work.
Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted
#13excellent
For that up arrow was made.. ;)
Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted
#14Productivity tip: buy a caravan. Gotta admit, that's the first time I've seen that one.
He's Dutch, right?
And while other people might not have the requisite place to put a caravan, they might also not actually have the need for one, due to being alone in their apartments. If you're married with children and work from home in a small apartment, you might need to get a bit more creative. Good headphones usually help, and if you don't even have a room to yourself, mounting some curtain rails to the ceiling might do the trick.
Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted
#15How does he get his monitors to go vertical like that? Is there some rotation software (for Linux)?
On ubuntu it is under monitors (might be a gnome thing) and you just select right or left under rotation.
I'm sure kde has something similar, but one thing to be aware of is that some monitors are specifically designed to be viewed horizontally so fonts and other things may render weird when rotated.
Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted
#16Productivity tip: buy a caravan. Gotta admit, that's the first time I've seen that one.
First thing I thought of was Breaking Bad. However, instead of the cops finding an old man cooking up meth, they'd find a very demure, focused man on a computer.
Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted
#17I did something similar - I finished the area under my basement stairs, hung monitors from the stairs above me, and put fabric on all the walls for soundproofing.
I have to climb through my storage area, under a shelf, and through a small hole to get in... but that also means I cannot easily get out and take a break. I just keep on working.
Likewise, I am so hidden that my kids just assume that I am downtown in my office, and they do not interrupt my work. And my wife won't come in either, as she get claustrophobic.
I am easily 3x as effective when working from home now.
Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted
#18Productivity tip: buy a caravan. Gotta admit, that's the first time I've seen that one.
He's Dutch, right? And while other people might not have the requisite place to put a caravan, they might also not actually have the need for one, due to being alone in their apartments. If you're married with children and work from home in a small apartment, you might need to get a bit more creative. Good headphones usually help, and if you don't even have a room to yourself, mounting some curtain rails to the ceili…
I believe he lives in Canada. You can find a few good stories on his blog about it. http://jacquesmattheij.com/dealing+with+burn+out
Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted
#19I did something similar - I finished the area under my basement stairs, hung monitors from the stairs above me, and put fabric on all the walls for soundproofing. I have to climb through my storage area, under a shelf, and through a small hole to get in... but that also means I cannot easily get out and take a break. I just keep on working. Likewise, I am so hidden that my kids just assume that I am downtown in my of…
I would love to see a pic of this setup.
Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted
#20I did something similar - I finished the area under my basement stairs, hung monitors from the stairs above me, and put fabric on all the walls for soundproofing. I have to climb through my storage area, under a shelf, and through a small hole to get in... but that also means I cannot easily get out and take a break. I just keep on working. Likewise, I am so hidden that my kids just assume that I am downtown in my of…
I would love to see a pic of this setup.
Will do. I actually am downtown today, but I will get some pics when I get home tonight.