PG: Disconnecting Distraction

My solution in University: The "Dana" by Alphasmart. It's a computer which is just a keyboard with a small screen showing three lines; once you are finished, plug it into a regular computer and press "send."

NO internet, no distractions, no REDDIT.com, etc!

And yes, I am writing this at work.

It's funny. I never really liked games, especially computer games, playstation games, etc... however, I like to play soccer, go surfing or maybe play chess. But most of all, I like to listen and play music. I always found that relaxing. After one hour listening to music, I can focus on whatever I have to do. About Internet distractions, it really annoys me. Flash games, blinking banners, this kind of thing. I like websites as simple as it can be. That's why I sometimes browse the web through Lynx (a text-mode web browser). As for TV, I don't watch it since I was 14. I didn't have to force myself not to watch it. I released that people just keep saying the same old jokes and stupid comments over and over again. It's much better to see a movie or read a book. Marcus V. Alvares - From Brazil.

Ironically for me, reading your essays is often how I avoid doing real work. I find myself avoiding work by reading an essay on how not to avoid work. Ha!

Hi Paul,

Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you (or anyone here) could imagine putting this to work on a creative company. Lets say, put separate computers in the same room just to browse or email checking, and leave the main computers for work.

I think that in creative environments where the deadlines are very short - ie. ad agencies, design, production.. etc - having a computer connected full time is better for efficiency and since the deadlines are so short people tend to complete their task by means of inherent preassure of the work.

The problem arises and gets more complicated in the cases of programmers, book writers, scriptwriters, composers....professionals who have time to "spare" in procrastinations such as the ones we find on the internet.

I will try to implement Paul´s technique and see if I can star my script.

thanks to you all

Great Essay with lots of useful tips and tricks. I like the 2 computers idea esp. since I also thoght of it, except I never implemented this idea.

Just one question: 4 hrs is a quarter of the average American's day? huh? Do Americans have shorter days than the rest of the world? Last I checked 4 hrs was a sixth of a day - sixth of a life if done everyday Hein