It’s time to do another 30 days challenge, this time with a focus on productivity.
For the next 30 days I will not be allowed to access internet before 9 am and after 8pm. This should give me enough freedom in the morning (I wake up at 5 most days), but will prevent me from procrastinating in the evening.
I figured that internet is perhaps the biggest obstacle in my productivity, and I want to fix it. It’s not easy as a part of me still likes to check the latest news online or check blog comments multiple times per day.
I think I’m doing good by checking emails only 2 or 3 times per day, but that’s not enough. My goal is to eventually create a window of 5-6 hours per day where I have absolutely no distractions.
My plan is to make a simple script that automatically enables internet connection from 9am to 8pm, so I don’t have excuses.
Eventually I want to take the extra mile and limit accessibility to some websites only for one hour per day (say between 7pm and 8pm), but I’ll look into this next week.
I will post an update as soon as I have something useful to show for blocking internet access.
P.S. I’m going offline now so I’ll reply to comments tomorrow.
I commented over on HN, you may want to cron Freedom
http://macfreedom.com/
One idea I’ve had for a while now, has been an /etc/hosts shell script that progressively turns off more of the distracting sites until I have a window of a few hours in which the internet is off. Then, the restrictions gradually recede.
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I want to experiment with this as well. Thanks for the help here and on HN.
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Let’s not be too hasty about re-inventing the wheel. The firefox extension LeechBlock is fully customizable with rules and scheduling that can only apply to certain sites as a user chooses. In conjunction with this website: http://phylab.mtu.edu/~nckelley/Focus/ it has become a formidable productivity tool!
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I’ll look if a similar extension exists for chrome.
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Hi Oscar, on pretty much the same note – I said last week that I was going to check email twice a day and facebook once a week as one of the 30-day challenges. Since I do not have technical skills to the extent you mention in your post, I must rely on my will hihi. It has worked pretty well with one exception (today)and the days when I had to go on fb for happy birthday messages but overall it’s working. I’d say that with some planning (what do I need the internet for and plan accordingly) and sheer will it is possible without additional efforts. For someone who’s quit smoking – piece of cake (well, almost) :) Good luck!
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A program is not really necessary, but I want to automate this process.
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Oscar, this is a great idea and I am going to join you. 9am until 8pm is the only time I can use the internet.
This is VERY similar to the “Weekend Luddite” system over at everydaysystems: http://www.everydaysystems.com/weekendluddite/
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That’s very cool! Glad you joined me. I might limit even more this time on weekends.
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oh my – 30 days?! my hats off to u for challenging urself to that! i should try that too…i waste too much time online procrastinating. but maybe just for a week as a start :P
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Give it a try! Perhaps it’s not so bad and after a week it’s all over :D
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I gave up facebook for kind of the same reason. I have found that I am much more proactive either virtually or actually as a result! I like the internet but I don’t want it to run my life! I am a counselor for crazy students and we are ending the school year so I have much time to spend on the computer…I am going to try to just focus on getting ready for next year…2 months away!
Oscar I admire your commitment and I know you can do it…I love your blog….I am getting ready to start my own! You don’t need to respond…you have plenty of other things to do! I just wanted to let you know that I commend you on your objective!
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Hey Andy, let me know when you start your blog, and thanks for your comment ;)
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Squid proxy would be the way would personally approach this, also with a side of rescuetime
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Thanks, I’ll look into it.
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Hey Oscar,
There is a program like that for Mac already called Self Control. Im sure it exists for PC too. You can block programs or sites to keep your productivvity maxed out!
Cheers!
Diggy
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I know about that program, I’ll probably use that if I can’t make something for my needs.
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Now THIS is interesting.. I don’t think I can start a program like this one just yet. lol. Looking forward to hearing your progress Oscar.
You’re always doing innovative things.. heh
—Parker
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Hey Parker, I’ll definitely post many updates on this.
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Hey Oscar,
Kudos on another challenge. You always seem to be raising the bar. I was recently listening to a Zig Ziglar tape and he poses the question “What would your life be like if you worked on every day like it was the day before you left for a vacation?” When I read your post this morning I immediately thought of this quote. What your exercise will force you to do is to work just like that: Analyze, Prioritize, and Execute. I like it!
I think that Time Management is something that every one of us struggles with mastering. It’s always good to move outside the comfort zone and mix it up. About a year ago, I tried a tactic of using the first two hours of my day as effectively as possible. My strategy was to pick 3 manageable but important tasks and force myself to complete them between 9am and 11am. It really changed my outlook on the day.
Thanks for posting!
Brian
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Hey Brian, glad you’re finding this challenge interesting. I like that quote, although I would personally anticipate my holiday of one day :D
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Productivity? But isnt your job related to internet or do you have an alternate career, too. I too waste alot of time online. Too old for it too
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Indeed I can use internet form 9am to 8pm. That should be enough to perform task online.
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