We all know how difficult it can be to work online without being distracted by addictive sites like Facebook, Twitter, various blogs and so on. This article will explain some technological methods to avoid wasting your time on these websites and to allow you to stay focused on your work or study. By using applications or extensions that you can install, hopefully your efforts to avoid online distractions will pay off.
Steps
Step 1. Know your enemy
Identify what your biggest distraction is. The most common, but not the only ones, are:
- Social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
- Forum.
- E-mail.
- Instant messaging services.
- News sites.
- Finance sites.
- Online games like FarmVille, CityVille.
- Interactive sites and your blog.
Step 2. Turn off notifications
Sometimes it happens that the notification takes you back to the distracting site (with a noise, a signal or a pop-up) interrupting your concentration. Fortunately, these are functions that can be deactivated. On Facebook, for example, click on Settings in the upper right corner of the screen and choose Account Settings, then Notifications and disable email notifications.
Step 3. Set clear goals that you want to achieve and for which you need to work online
It's easy to get distracted when you don't have a precise idea of what to do. Instead of saying: "I reply to e-mails", write down objectives such as: "I reply to 20 e-mails then I will do this other thing."
Step 4. Make distractions a reward
When you are clear about what you need to do and have defined your goals, as suggested in the previous step, make it a rule not to succumb to distractions until you have accomplished them. Set up homework that you can finish in 1-2 hours. When you have finished them, take a few minutes to visit the site that attracts you so much. But since it's easy to lose track of time when distracted, make sure your "reward" doesn't soak up the rest of the day. For example, give yourself 10 minutes to read your favorite news site, and when time runs out, get back to work.
Step 5. If it helps, stop abruptly
If you are unable to control yourself and limit the time you spend on "tempting" sites, then make sure they are not fully accessible. There are many functions to be activated on browsers that prevent you from visiting certain internet pages; however, give it a try to train your willpower before you get to this point!
Method 1 of 3: Using Google Chrome's StayFocusd
Step 1. Install the StayFocusd extension from the Chrome Web Store
You can find the direct link to StayFocusd.
Step 2. Use this extension
You will see a small blue clock at the top of the browser window. Click on it.
Step 3. Click on "Block site entirely" if you want a quick and easy solution
If you want to set the extension in a more personalized way, continue reading the next steps.
Step 4. Click on "Advanced Options"
Enter the URL address or choose "block" or "consent".
Step 5. Click on "Settings" to choose the maximum time limit allowed on a particular site before the extension blocks it
Write the number of minutes in the appropriate box and then select "Set".
Step 6. Add a list of blocked pages to your settings
Each time you access these URLs, you will be subtracted from the total time you set. So, if your timer is set to 15 minutes and you've added Facebook and Twitter to your “blacklist”, you'll only have 15 minutes a day to browse these pages.
Step 7. Extreme remedies
If nothing seems to help, there is also a drastic option in StayFocusd: on the settings page, select "Nuclear Option". This is a setting that blocks the entire web except for some pages that you have selected as "Allowed". Determine how long you want to be without internet, customize the other settings that are presented to you and then click on "Nuke 'Em!". Use this function carefully and conscientiously, you may (without realizing it) block some pages you need for work, such as your email account.
Method 2 of 3: Using Firefox's LeechBlock
Step 1. In Firefox, download the LeechBlock extension
You can do it directly from LeechBlock. Firefox will likely ask you to restart your computer.
Step 2. Click on the "Firefox" button in the upper left corner of the browser
(Note: this procedure is for Firefox 6. If you have a newer version, you need to click on "Tools" "Add-ons".) Click on "Add-ons".
Step 3. On the Add-on management page that opens, click on "Options" next to LeechBlock
Step 4. Choose the sites you want to block
- Enter a name for this specific block.
- Enter the URL address of the sites. Also leave out the "www" part. Click on "Next" when done.
Step 5. Set the block duration for these pages
- Enter the time interval. You must use a 24-hour format, but do not separate the digits with a colon; if you want to enter the time frame 9: 00-17: 00, simply write 0900-1700.
- Set a "grant period" before activating the lockout. For example, you can allow yourself 15 minutes a day of browsing these pages, but no more.
- Choose the days of the week you want the block to be active. Click on "Next" when done.
Step 6. Choose the URL that LeechBlock should display when the block is activated
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Click on "Prevent access to blocking settings" to avoid the temptation to extend the "grant period" after activating the extension.
Avoid Distractions Online Step 19 Step 7. Click on "OK" to activate the extension
Method 3 of 3: Use KeepMeOut on Any Browser
Avoid Distractions Online Step 20 Step 1. Navigate to the KeepMeOut site
An Italian version is not yet available.
Avoid Distractions Online Step 21 Step 2. Enter your parameters
Click on "Advanced Settings" to choose the time frame of the day in which the block must be active. Scroll with the arrows to choose the correct time when the application will block your sources of distraction.
Avoid Distractions Online Step 23 Step 1. Click on "Submit"
Wait for the site to load.
Avoid Distractions Online Step 24 Step 2. Open the link the site provides you on the next tab
Avoid Distractions Online Step 25 Step 3. Bookmark this link according to your browser specific methods
Avoid Distractions Online Step 26 Step 4. Set it at the top of the browser page, among bookmarks or favorites
Avoid Distractions Online Step 27 Step 5. Use this link to access your "forbidden" site
Do not write the address directly in the URL bar, or KeepMeOut will block it! You must use the corresponding icon in the favorites.
