How to Avoid Internet Distractions

My personal tips are:

- low level playing music from spotify in the background. Some lists:

http://open.spotify.com/user/davidgeere/playlist/50eimPTuwZgzNqyLfjqgCz

http://open.spotify.com/user/davidgeere/playlist/4a9n4Xpk2loJLaFGHB3QHZ

- Second is that I close my email often. I shut it down and don’t open it until I have completed my current task or need to use the email. Some clients have an offline mode… don’t be scared of using it. My client of choice is PostBox Inc

- Thirdly, I shut down skype, IM and other things. Essentially if something can pop up a little alert, make a ‘ding’ or generally is able to shout at you in the middle of something then close it!

- Fourth, if you are like me you use your bookmarks toolbar in your browser. You have a few items there such as invoicing and email, but perhaps also facebook, iplayer, fav forums, a link to twitter etc… I start my day by using view->toolbars->hide and hide that thing. It’s amazing how much of a habit you have where you pop your mouse up and click on that facebook link… removing it makes a big difference to how many times it will distract you.

- Bonus tip… have a shower or a walk before you start working. Getting air or fresh water ‘resets’ your mind. You can come back to your computer fresh and just get on with things.

I still use a notepad too and it’s good to get started on a pad is it starts the mind working… then move back to the computer and carry on minus the distractions.

This is aimed at those that perhaps have to work at the computer and can’t pop down the coffee shop… perhaps a designer, animator, forum admin etc

I hope that these may help someone in addition to your tip Dean, or worst case a few people just got some new spotify music

Cheers,
David
David Geere´s last blog ..Apple owns your head

I’m the same with music, the worky list has been especially crafted by me over the years specifically for helping me focus while working.

E.g. I couldn’t do it with the radio on in the background… but with this list of tunes I can… though I do have it very quiet. The beats keep the mind ticking.
David Geere´s last blog ..Apple owns your head

I like your technique of going to the coffee shop and taking pen and pad with you. I think that’s something mentally that get’s you focused and helps remove distractions from your way. I think it’s all a mental game really. Getting your head in the right spot to be productive you know. For me often go to Starbucks as well though I stay pretty productive on my laptop as long as first I have an idea of what I am going to get done. For that I like to use a pen and pad and jot down what I need to done. I would like to get one of those livescribe pens that you can write and record your voice and easily put it up on the web later.

I have 3 different products I plan to release this year so I need these tips. Thanks for the vid. man!!

Brandon
Stay Focused! Stay Caffeinated!
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i tend to unsubscribe from various sellers-apart fro the ones i like

Dean,

Great tip; been using it for years, since I am old shool – 60 years old

The only problem lately, here in the states, is that most “coffee shops” — Borders, Books-A-Million, others with the in-house “meeting place with food” — have become very loud social/business meeting rooms. That’s not too bad, except when they are frequented with rude people of the baser sort who simply do not understand the concept of social graces and “quiet voices”. Not to add the fact that some locales feature book readings, kid play times, et.al..ad nausea. Public libraries…FUGHDEDABOUTIT!

Lately, I take some pre-recorded jazz/classical music on a ‘lil portable system, go to a secluded wooded area near my house and work away. Nature helps.

Reggie
== What do we say about local merchants, their competitors, and owning ALL the local SERPS on page one of Google?

“When you’re there, their not!! Muuuhahahaaaa!

Your videos fascinate me. I watch them twice and 3 times. Your speech is so clear for me to understand you that I love them. You are an incredible magician I saw certainly how the letters placed themselves in the correct order to form the word, you have created your own notebook Ipad.

Distractions…I used to switch off my notebook computer. I believe that that was a different reason. Because I love writing with my keyboard.

I use the Eban Pagan tactic:

Focus one one task for 50 minutes

Ten minute rest

Another 50 min session

Then half hour rest

Rinse and repeat…

Plan you distracting tasks into a 50 minute session.

Works for me xx

Dean,

I like your style.

I often head to the local public library … and even though I have my laptop with me, it’s like being in an office, but with a hush all around. And the fact that they will kick me out when they close is enough incentive to save the email and games for when I get home.

I’ve got a yellow iPad — who knew?
No Facebook, yet.
Janice Phillips´s last blog ..Write for People … Not Search Engines

I often head to the local public library … and even though I have my laptop with me, it’s like being in an office, but with a hush all around. And the fact that they will kick me out when they close is enough incentive to save the email and games for when I get home.