I've been using Freedom for this for some time. I would recommend using these tools. When you site down and want to get something done you just block out a few hours where you can't access the sites that distract you. It is really good for focus. I thought I could do this with will power alone but these sorts of tools really do help.
Does freedom allow you to block apps? I have it and it works nicely for safari and my Mac. I haven't been successful in trying to have it block apps. Maybe because I have an ancient iPhone.
I've been using Freedom for this for some time. I would recommend using these tools. When you site down and want to get something done you just block out a few hours where you can't access the sites that distract you. It is really good for focus. I thought I could do this with will power alone but these sorts of tools really do help.
Something like this might actually be useful for the all-too-common productive procrastination breaks. Stuck on a hard problem? Better clean my desk. Waiting for a build? Better clean my files. Lacking momentum? Better check LinkedIn (it’s professional so it’s okay). I wonder which type of “break” kills more productivity, “fun” distraction or “productive” distraction. Anyone else?
I'm similar, but replace the answer to all of those questions with "make a coffee".
Something like this might actually be useful for the all-too-common productive procrastination breaks. Stuck on a hard problem? Better clean my desk. Waiting for a build? Better clean my files. Lacking momentum? Better check LinkedIn (it’s professional so it’s okay). I wonder which type of “break” kills more productivity, “fun” distraction or “productive” distraction. Anyone else?
There's probably an argument to be made that at least those tasks might help push you out of a rut if you've spent hours banging your head against a wall. God knows cleaning my desk is probably a better use of my time right now than commenting yet again on HN.
When I'm working on a hard problem and I identify that I actually do need to stop and just think about it more indirectly I find going for a walk to be pretty useful.
I've been using Freedom for this for some time. I would recommend using these tools. When you site down and want to get something done you just block out a few hours where you can't access the sites that distract you. It is really good for focus. I thought I could do this with will power alone but these sorts of tools really do help.
I agree, I have been using https://freedom.io for a few years and like it. I also enjoy their podcasts.
Something like this might actually be useful for the all-too-common productive procrastination breaks. Stuck on a hard problem? Better clean my desk. Waiting for a build? Better clean my files. Lacking momentum? Better check LinkedIn (it’s professional so it’s okay). I wonder which type of “break” kills more productivity, “fun” distraction or “productive” distraction. Anyone else?
> Better check LinkedIn (it’s professional so it’s okay) I don’t have social media on my work computer except LinkedIn. I can’t tell you how many times a day I quickly open a new tab and head to LinkedIn (where I’m not even that personally active, mind you) to just get a quick hit of a distraction.
Yeah I moved the LinkedIn app to the front page of my home screen when I went to a conference a couple months ago. I check it much more when it's right there. Thanks to your comment, I'm going to move it back to where it was before, buried in a folder on the fourth page.