The internet can become a black hole for productivity.In today's world, many people need to use the Internet daily for work, school, or as a means of connecting with friends and family, but we often find ourselves using it distractedly.It's possible to manage our online habits in a way that will allow us to spend more time online.
Step 1: You can create an internet activity log.
This is a great way to find out where you go all the time.Write down everything you do on the internet for a week.How often you click on an embedded link, what websites you visit, and how much time you spend on each.Our worst Internet time-wasting habits are things we do without thinking.You should include the time you use the network on your hand-held device.This is where we clock in most of our internet hours.
Step 2: Take a look at your problem areas.
We can't focus on longer tasks if we check our email every five minutes.It makes sense to take a 10-second break if the paper we are researching feels boring or frustrating.The problem, though, is that all these little breaks, plus the time it takes us to refocus our attention as it shifts back and forth, really add up.Do you check your email fifty times a day?Do you spend a lot of time on celebrity gossip websites?Is it possible that when you are doing other things, you end up being interrupted by friends looking to chat?If you find that after thirty minutes of concentrating hard on something, you get a sudden intense craving to see if anyone new has "liked" your new Facebook profile picture, and then just get sucked into your newsfeed for an hour or more?
Step 3: Get to know your dopamine.
It might seem like your friend is exaggerating when she says that she is addicted to her phone.Technology dependence is very similar to the changes a brain undergoes in the instance of drug, alcohol, or gambling addictions.The culprit is a chemical in our brain called dopamine.dopamine is released in your brain when you hear a bloop of your Facebook messenger, which makes you want to check it.Dopamine addiction can be an endless cycle.The uncertainty of the unknown causes the brief high.Who sent the message?The urge to find out is greater than the satisfaction we feel once we see the message, which leaves us feeling a little low and eager for another dopamine boost.We don't have to be dependent on technology in today's world.We can train ourselves to resist this loop with a little dedication.
Step 4: Make necessary changes.
Unlearning pre-existing habits can be difficult for many people.Most of the changes will require you to restrict things that bring you comfort or pleasure.Mild withdrawal symptoms can be experienced when we alter our Internet behaviors due to the decrease in dopamine production.You are on your way to being a happier, healthier, and more productive person if you keep in mind that this transitional discomfort is temporary.
Step 5: You need to organize your workspace.
It is amazing how much space is freed up by having a workspace that is free of visual distraction.It will be more difficult to focus on the task at hand if there is a pile of papers begging to be organized or dirty dishes scattered around.Try to keep your desk free of all the things you use every day.
Step 6: Take care of your computer desktop.
It's important to keep your files organized, rather than having them splattered all over your screen.This will save you a lot of time when it comes to searching for things you need, and will keep you from being distracted by something that catches your eye in the searching process.
Step 7: Before you open your browser, make a list of what you need to do.
Is there a song you want to listen to?If you want to bring your mom for her birthday, you need to read some restaurant reviews.Do you have to research costs for a project?It's something you should be doing every day, as things pop into your head.Keeping an internet to-do list will give you a sense of purpose and remind you of your long-term time-management goals.
Step 8: Determine when you are most productive.
Some people are alert first thing in the morning while others don't peak until the middle of the night.If you have some flexibility in your schedule, it's a good idea to plan your internet time for when you're most likely to be awake.
Step 9: Plan to do more with less.
Depending on career, interests, and lifestyle factors, internet efficacy is going to be different for everyone.Some people need to be online all day long for their jobs, while others use the internet in the evenings as a way to relax.Everyone should aim to simultaneously accomplish more and spend less time online if they want to meet their time-management goals.
Step 10: Limit your screen time.
Aiming to spend less time on the internet is a good start.We tend to be more productive when we have less time to get something done.
Step 11: It's a good idea to avoid multitasking.
It can slow us down in the long run if we do two or three things at once, as we don't have enough time to focus on one thing.It might be tempting to switch back and forth between Internet tasks in order to keep things interesting, but try to stick to your Internet to do list, finishing each thing before you move on to the next.
Step 12: Offline, do what you can.
If you need to read something longer than a page, you can download it and read it with your browser closed.You can write a long email reply in Microsoft Word.This will help minimize distraction by preventing you from going down hyperlink rabbit holes, or protecting you against email notifications as they inevitably trickle in.
Step 13: Limit your time on social networking websites.
These websites are not only black holes for productivity, but also very addictive, so you are going to want to be tough with yourself.Dopamine thrives on anticipation and the unknown, and social networking sites are never static, always changing as people update their statuses, add photos and like things.Nothing is as interesting or fulfilling as we think it might be.Give yourself a time limit if you must visit sites such as Facebook, and do so with great awareness.Use a timer in the kitchen to keep you on track.Signing off of and closing these websites is more important than opening a new tab or window on top of them.The more tempting something is, the easier it is to access.
Step 14: Attach your email.
Try to check your email three times a day, in the morning, lunch and evening.If you constantly refresh or check your email, it can be just as bad for time-management as social networking sites.Make sure to respond to every email you receive.This will save you time and give you a sense of accomplishment as you stay on top of your correspondences.
Step 15: Self-control can be helped by looking outside of yourself.
You are not the only one who is having trouble obeying the restrictions you have set for yourself.A majority of people find it hard to manage their internet time.There are a lot of free and cheap applications out there to help you with this.RescueTime keeps you from being able to access certain websites for a certain amount of time.If you are working on a paper about different types of cloud formations, you will be able to access the National Weather Service website, but you can also block other websites.It allows you to know how much time you spend on the internet each day.There are many different applications that block the internet.You can find one that works for you.The Email Game turns your email into a game.You can clear your inbox with points.You can save websites you come across for later viewing.Maybe you're reading an article that has a hyperlink.To look at later, you can save this link.The focus@ will application uses brain science and soothing music to help increase your attention span and productivity, which will decrease the impulse to seek easy distraction.
Step 16: Get rid of the internet at home.
It will force you to plan out the majority of your internet usage, which will make you more productive on the internet.This might be something to look into if you're struggling with self-control.It is possible to make yourself more aware of your bad habits by using the internet with other people.If anyone can see your laptop screen, you'll be less likely to unconsciously browse your way to your ex-boyfriend's Facebook page.If you want to experiment with this idea but aren't ready to commit to canceling your internet service, you can put your routers at a friend's house for a few days.If you live with a roommate or spouse who doesn't like the idea of going internet-free, have them change their password.