Stay Offline And Get Your Work Done

Keeping focused in the 21st century is not an easy thing. For one, we have the internet which is full of distractions. Think about all the time you spend pointlessly and aimlessly browsing the web, chatting to friends, sending emails, and browsing your RSS reader daily. I for one know the time begins to add up, and thats time you will never get back.

Recently I have started disconnecting from my Airport connection when I am trying to knuckle down and focus on writing or image editing. It’s no surprise my productivity levels have increased ten fold due to the eliminated distractions in my workspace.

I can no longer click on NewsFire and see if there are any new posts on DevLounge or Warpspire. I cant click on iChat and see what my friends are up too, and I dont have my new email sounds buzzing every minute. I can just knuckle down, and focus on what is in front of me.

When you need to get things done, disconnect from your network connection - the work you will complete is worth the pain of not having RSS updates for a few hours.

Comments

  1. #1

    wph → wphj.wordpress.com

    That’s so true, every half hour I hear a ping and take a break to read something new. I think I’ll try this tomorrow.

    Now I just contribute to the problem with my own blog!
    http://www.wphj.wordpress.com

  2. #2

    Sam → www.gosammy.com

    The internet is indeed a huge distraction, I should just disable airport next time I need to get stuff done. I find myself browsing random websites when I should actually be doing work…like right now :P

  3. #3

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    Hey Sam, I wouldn’t could this blog as a distraction..more like a learning tool ;-)

  4. #4

    Daniel → perfectism.com

    I am struck by the irony of the fact that as I read this post, I should be working on a 20-page science paper that’s due in two weeks. Maybe this is worth a try…

  5. #5

    Joe Jacobs

    Ha! I’m taking a break from studying! I seriously can’t wait for summer. I get soooo much done, and still have fun.

    And when my blog launches I will need even more time.

  6. #6

    Ronald Heft → cavemonkey50.com

    I should disconnect my AirPort more often also. I do notice my productivity levels skyrockets once I’m disconnected from the internet. I’ll keep this in mind next time I have some crucial work to get done.

  7. #7

    Tucker MacDonald → www.tuckermacdonald.com

    Or you could just quit the applications…That way you can manage what comes in and out. Like if you need to use the internet for what you are working on.

  8. #8

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    But it still is a temptation to “quickly check the 9rules notes” or something similar. Disconnecting takes all of these away.

  9. #9

    Steffan Williams → www.steffanwilliams.co.uk/blog

    Hehe.. I just posted something like this. Actually, a couple of days ago.

    I lose most of my time to my internet connection - but I feel like I need it.. there’s no where I’d disconnect my AirPort.

    http://www.steffanwilliams.co.uk/blog/articles/what-do-you-do-instead

    Good ideas… but I couldn’t live without Safari happily sitting open on my Dock. =P

  10. #10

    Tyler Kieft → snier.com

    When I had final exams last month I shut my RSS reader down for a whole week and it made a HUGE difference. Instead of wasting my time reading news articles every half hour I really could buckle down and focus.

    Also I find that turning off sounds helps. I never disconnect completely because I often need the internet to check information. But turning off iChat and Mail sounds can help you not jump to the computer every time you hear a ping.

  11. #11

    Rennervater

    Your an Inspiration Glenn :P. I think you nailed this one on the head. I find that if i am trying to research something on the web for a project its hard to stay on target, I always get sidetracked.

  12. #12

    Jack → jacksauer.com

    You used the term knuckle down twice. How much can one person knuckle down.

    Well i have to go knuckle down now…

    ;)

  13. #13

    alex zhao → www.ocrig.com

    jesus christ, how little self control do you have?

  14. #14

    zzap → zzaps.com

    Or you could just turn off your monitor (if you have that option).

  15. #15

    Indraneel → imindraneel.wordpress.com

    or turn it off. the computer. all of it.

  16. #16

    Andre → winnopeg.com

    If I’m forced to work on the computer, I find that making the application you’re working in full screen (with the dock hidden) helps a lot too. That with a lack of internet really helps in preventing me from getting distracted.

    I have the attention span of a penut, I know.

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