Question

Many people procrastinate online. Random web distractions suck our time.

How do you limit your web use? What tools do you use to monitor your web usage patterns? What tips do you offer to a cyber-slacker wishing to get back to productive work all the time?

Answer 1

What tips do you offer to a cyber-slacker wishing to get back to productive work all the time?

Just block all access to websites created by time bandits, Jeff Atwood and Joel Spolsky : superuser.com, stackoverflow.com and serverfault.com. Problem solved.

If your patient has already started to visit meta.stackoverflow.com, then it's already terminal and too late to help them.

Answer 2

What tips do you offer to a cyber-slacker wishing to get back to productive work all the time?

Have deadlines, even if they're artificial, and don't overplan your day.

Procrastination often happens when you're doing something you don't like (which a work-sprint can help you get through by working very fast to finish the task quickly), or when you're overwhelmed (by having too much to do). Of course, chronic procrastination is often just a habit, which can be broken.

I've been following the 4 hour workday process for the last month or so and found an increase in both my productivity and quality of life (as I'm now willing to do non-work during downtimes). I recommend it:

http://thinksimplenow.com/productivity/the-4-hour-workday/

Answer 3

I've been using RescueTime for a while which works quite well. The Windows application runs silently in the background monitoring which applications are being used and for how long.

Applications can be categorized and each one can be assigned a productivity level, which can then be used to create some nice charts displaying how much time you spent in each category and how productive your day/week/month was based on application usage.

Answer 4

I've used something called TimeSnapper. It takes a screenshot at intervals that you can define. At the end of the day, you can hit play and pretty much replay your entire day. It really makes you cringe.

The classic version is free. It was recommended by Mike Gunderloy before he switched to the dark side.

Answer 5

Control Panel - Network Connections - Right Click - Disable

Has the added advantage that it also gets rid of any email and IM distractions.

Answer 6

Have an effective to-do system (paper, whiteboard, software, whatever; but do use it, there are some suggestions at http://superuser.com/questions/1206/which-tool-do-you-use-for-your-todo-list)

Set realistic goals, but ones that will require concentration and work to attain.

Don't begrudge down time, but it's good to feel you've earned it and set a limit on how much time off you have before getting back to work.

Answer 7

I use Marxio Timer to pop open a time tracking app every 15 minutes which forces me to log my time and consider what I'm doing. If I get in the flow, then I turn it off and just work.