Small change that helped me eliminate online distractions and become more productive

by droog
17 replies
I've been getting distracted too much lately and spending time on wasteful websites. Either hobby/interest, news and entertainment sites or biz related sites that make me pretend like I'm working when instead I should be doing something more productive.

Last week I started something I remember hearing back in the 90s that telemarketers would do. Work standing up. I put a small platform on my desk to raise the height of my laptop and mouse so it was at a comfortable height to work while standing.

I worked 7 hours standing the first day and 6:15 hours standing the second. The only time I sat was eating (not counted toward work time), watching a couple marketing vids and writing an article.

I didn't stand while watching the marketing videos because it's strictly passive, unlike say reading you can't watch a video faster than normal. If your legs get tired that could be a good time to sit and watch a marketing or business related video. I tried writing the article standing but had more writer's block for some reason. It was easier and more comfortable putting the article together sitting down.

The biggest way this helped was eliminating distracting, time wasting websites. There is something psychological about wasting time on distracting sites while standing that just didn't seem natural or right. The interest just isn't there and you feel you should be doing something more important.

After the first couple days I did go back to sitting down at times and went back to standing when I felt I was losing focus and wanted to be more productive. I stood the whole day today since it was Monday and wanted to start the week off good.

If you have a problem staying focused and are addicted to sites you know you shouldn't be wasting your time on give it a try. It you have a problem with self discipline it's a way to change your environment instead of your behavior to get the results you want.

Anyone else want to throw in things that have helped them?
#change #distractions #eliminate #helped #online #productive #small
  • Profile picture of the author KatyaSenina
    Great tip. People get lazy when they sit. You can't be standing for too long so you will be more productive and working faster.

    Ps. Droog? Funny username - just caught my attention. 'droog' means 'dry' in Dutch. LOL :p
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
      Good tip.

      For some reason I'm thinking someone that we all admire here also uses an elevated work surface.

      Maybe some of the veteran members can coorect me if I'm wrong, but didn't/doesn't Allen Says do something similar using AirDesk (or whatever it's called)?
      Originally Posted by KatyaSenina View Post

      Great tip. People get lazy when they sit. You can't be standing for too long so you will be more productive and working faster.

      Ps. Droog? Funny username - just caught my attention. 'droog' means 'dry' in Dutch. LOL :p
      Hi Katya,

      It may also be a reference to the word for "fellow gangmember", "friend" or "comrade" in the book and movie "A Clockwork Orange".

      But I think it's interesting that it's also Dutch for 'dry'.

      Gives new meaning to the David Bowie line...

      "...droogie don't crash here".

      All the best,
      Michael
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      "Ich bin en fuego!"
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      • Profile picture of the author mywebwork
        Have to admit that I haven't thought of that one - worth a try. I have back problems so I'd have to get the height just right.

        Thanks for the tip.

        Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post


        Gives new meaning to the David Bowie line...

        "...droogie don't crash here".
        Trying to figure out which Bowie song that was Michael - was it Suffragette City by any chance?

        Bill
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        • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
          Originally Posted by mywebwork View Post

          Have to admit that I haven't thought of that one - worth a try. I have back problems so I'd have to get the height just right.

          Thanks for the tip.



          Trying to figure out which Bowie song that was Michael - was it Suffragette City by any chance?

          Bill
          That's the one!

          But you almost have to know it's coming, because it goes by quick.

          Rock on!
          Michael
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          "Ich bin en fuego!"
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      • Profile picture of the author droog
        Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post


        It may also be a reference to the word for "fellow gangmember", "friend" or "comrade" in the book and movie "A Clockwork Orange".

        But I think it's interesting that it's also Dutch for 'dry'.

        All the best,
        Michael
        And the origin goes back even further than the book. Burgess was trying to create a frightening version of the future when the book was published back in the early 60s (at the height of the cold war). Supposedly one way was to show the Soviet Union's eventual military/cultural dominance in a subtle way. A lot of the Nadsat slang he created for the book is derived from Russian. The word also means "friend" in Russian.

        But I'll start using Katya's origin of the word for people who despise the book/film.
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        • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
          Originally Posted by droog View Post

          And the origin goes back even further than the book. Burgess was trying to create a frightening version of the future when the book was published back in the early 60s (at the height of the cold war). Supposedly one way was to show the Soviet Union's eventual military/cultural dominance in a subtle way. A lot of the Nadsat slang he created for the book is derived from Russian. The word also means "friend" in Russian.

          But I'll start using Katya's origin of the word for people who despise the book/film.
          I knew a lot of Burgess' Nadsat was based on Russian, but didn't know which words were direct translations. Thank you. Real horrorshow, indeed, another bit of trivia to store in the old gulliver.

          It's definitely one of those works that people disagree on.

          All the best,
          Michael
          Signature

          "Ich bin en fuego!"
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  • Profile picture of the author Yogini
    Hi Droog,

    That is a good tip. I know that eating while standing just isn't the same as while sitting but I never tried that with working.

    One thing I noticed is that if during a lunch break from work I go to subway with my laptop that by having to rely on the battery (they don't have plugs there), I am much more efficient. I know my battery will only last 1 1/2 hours so I want to get work done. This means no forums, emails etc for that time period.

    Debbie
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  • Profile picture of the author KatyaSenina
    Another tip... This is only for super lazy, too easily distracted warriors *like me*

    Anyway, go to an internet cafe... I bet your productivity will increase like clockwork. I mean you can't be sitting there all day (okay you can) but you'll have to pay per hour. Do that for a few weeks and I'm sure your wallet will get lighter so you will definitely see some improvement there.

    *must say haven't tried this myself yet...but will try it soon*
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    • Profile picture of the author Fran_C
      That's a great idea Droog! I don't know how I would be able to manage my desk setup to be able to do it though ... Michael mentioned an Air-Desk, I saw it in a magazine commercial I think and the great thing about it was that it could easily be converted to stand or sit without too much trouble.

      Also I read a health related article saying that sitting is really not good for our general health,
      so I get up and move around every hour or so. Another suggestion is to leave the computer as soon as you realize that you're not being productive ... and being productive is at the
      top of my self-improvement list!

      Fran
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  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    Great tips everyone,

    I never really thought about the connection between sitting down and being more relaxed and being more apt to "goofying off".

    I don't usually dress up for my work day at home, but wonder if that would help too? To try and get back in that mental "work" mindset.

    Matt
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  • Profile picture of the author Fweez
    As long as there is pressure and strong emotions... You'll succeed
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  • Profile picture of the author ghostwritercmb
    Standing sounds like a great way to focus. I would cold call while standing and smiling...it worked. Thanks for the helpful hint.
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  • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
    It's good for you back as well, unless your posture is horrible.

    So that's one more reason to change.
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  • Profile picture of the author mrdomains
    This is excellent advice.

    In the Nordic countries a lot of the administrative / computer based workplaces have adjustable desks that allow you to shift from sitting to standing height at the push of a button.

    Apart from keeping you focused there are considerable health benefits mainly because your circulation system needs to be more active.

    In the process of getting more done you are also burning more energy - which is always a good thing.
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