As a world-class Procrastinator, I can find the most creative ways to avoid getting my business done. I have spent the past few months trying to break this habit, as I’ve mentioned before, and I can honestly say I am getting better.
Still… the lure of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and a few other daily stops on the internet feed this habit. When I can be at my most productive–the kids are happily eating breakfast or playing together for a change–I find myself clicking over to these sites. Usually this happens when I’m working on something I’m not particularly keen on. My mind wanders. I draw blanks (probably because my mind is wandering). I’m sure I’m not alone on this!
But now, thanks to this great tool I’ve found, I have cut down my internet activity, forcing myself to be more productive. Self-Control is a free app that will allow you to block access to the entire internet and email (or just those sites you can’t seem to stop visiting) for a set amount of time, up to 90 minutes. The best part (for me at least) is that once you start the timer, you can’t stop it. Not even rebooting the computer or deleting the app will stop it. So you do have to be wise about setting the timer.
The one downside is that this is currently only available for Mac OSX. However, the app developer has provided related downloads on the Self-Control page, including Cold Turkey for Windows operating systems. I’ve not used Cold Turkey, so I can’t attest to its merits. But if you have, or if you have another app you use, please share in the comments below.
Now, if only I could download self-control for the snack cabinet…
Ha, ha, ha. Very cool. A timer on the snack cabinet, hmm. Who would have thunk of that? You do realize of course that banks have time locks on their vaults to prevent their employees from taking unscheduled snack breaks. :p
Posted by Geoffrey | June 14, 2012, 13:29I’m such a terrible snacker. At least not the sugary stuff, usually savories. I try so hard to instill my own self-control, but alas… those sea salt chips are just too powerful… 😉
~Lynn
Posted by A Common Sea | June 15, 2012, 12:14Great idea. I need this. I, too, get lost in the social media!
Posted by mare ball | June 14, 2012, 16:44Last weekend, I was in Florida for my sister’s wedding and didn’t have time for social media. Now that I’m back, I’m finding it a little harder to reconnect, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing! LOL I think we do tend to get sucked in, and something like this helps keep us out of the vortex!
~Lynn
Posted by A Common Sea | June 15, 2012, 12:12Oh, I so need an app like that!!! Right now I can’t even get myself organized to do my twice weekly blogs…. so I can add guilt to the equation as well!! Great post!
Posted by Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice | June 14, 2012, 19:53This is another attempt to get myself back to being extremely organized. I used to be, once, when I had a career and it was a necessity. Now with four kids, a blog, a fledgling writing career, a mostly-absent hubby, and a house to take care of, it’s become a necessity again!
~Lynn
Posted by A Common Sea | June 15, 2012, 12:15