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elizabeth How does one who has a job on the internet at home make themselves work a productive day and not make themselves get distracted by things going on at home and/or the limitles internet world. What goes through my mind I don"t think untypical. So what if I spend 30 minutes to an hour looking up worthless info on t internet? 30 minutes turns into 2 hrs and 2 hrs turns into all day? what is wrong w me and how do i get past my tendancy to get easily distracted and my procrastination habits?

98 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Scott Asai: When structure doesn't exist, you must enforce it yourself. Try scheduling "work hours" for yourself and stick to them. Define what sites you can ...MoreWhen structure doesn't exist, you must enforce it yourself. Try scheduling "work hours" for yourself and stick to them. Define what sites you can and cannot visit.

There's nothing wrong with you...you just need to implement some order and keep yourself accountable. Be thankful you have a "virtual" job and make the most of it!
98 weeks ago
Katherine Brey: I think the best thing you can do is think of these distractions as no different than dealing with the ones you get in an office setting, like ...MoreI think the best thing you can do is think of these distractions as no different than dealing with the ones you get in an office setting, like phone calls, meetings, boss yelling across the room at you, etc.. Try and hold yourself to the same productivity standards and maybe try some of the coping mechanisms you would at an office? I find that I need to close my email inbox and put on some head phones sometimes, to keep myself from scanning constantly for something I'd rather be doing =)
98 weeks ago
Jeffrey Hulten: Read Seth Godin's new book, Linchpin (just not when you need to be finishing stuff for a deadline). He talks about the parts of the brain that ...MoreRead Seth Godin's new book, Linchpin (just not when you need to be finishing stuff for a deadline). He talks about the parts of the brain that sabotage our success. Most people I know (myself included) limit themselves out of fear.
98 weeks ago
Katherine Brey: Yes . . . that darn lizard brain =)
98 weeks ago
elizabeth: Thanks everyone for replying. So, are you guys saying that it is more fear than laziness?
98 weeks ago
Todd Nilson: If you distrust your ability to stay on task, several kinds of software that prevent you from wasting time by limiting your time on a web site ...MoreIf you distrust your ability to stay on task, several kinds of software that prevent you from wasting time by limiting your time on a web site have been featured on Lifehacker: http://lifehacker.com. You might also try checking out some of the personal time management approaches like GTD (Getting Things Done).
98 weeks ago
Jeffrey Hulten: You have conflict in your head. One part wants to do something matters. One wants to avoid pain and rejection. Laziness is either fear or lack of ...MoreYou have conflict in your head. One part wants to do something matters. One wants to avoid pain and rejection. Laziness is either fear or lack of conviction.

What do you do in this home business? Do you have passion for it? Do you dread it?
98 weeks ago
Alison Rayner: Elizabeth, I struggle with the same problem. Jeffrey asked if you were passionate about your job & I realized that I have the same issues ...MoreElizabeth, I struggle with the same problem. Jeffrey asked if you were passionate about your job & I realized that I have the same issues because I've lost my passion for being at school. So when I have the opportunity to get online I like to catch up on my discussions, check email, browse for random things that pop into my head... which equates to anything other than what I am supposed to be doing. Procrastination kills me. But that's a totally different discussion...
98 weeks ago
Brian McCarthy: Hi Elizabeth... that's an easy question to answer... source a business coach with time management skills... hey I'm a guy like me! If you want to ...MoreHi Elizabeth... that's an easy question to answer... source a business coach with time management skills... hey I'm a guy like me! If you want to chat about it let me know.
98 weeks ago
Alice Itty: I usually make a "To Do" list: Look for, Apply for jobs; gym; teach myself PowerPoint; take an online class; read; journal.
98 weeks ago
Aaron Roberts: I work from home sometimes and it can be tempting to fall into distractions. To keep myself honest I make sure somebody I work with sees something ...MoreI work from home sometimes and it can be tempting to fall into distractions. To keep myself honest I make sure somebody I work with sees something from me across the wire at least once an hour or two. To do that I have to shower and dress like I'm leaving the house, have my family room neat and clean with 50's swing jazz music playing on Directv. Sounds strange I know but it's perfect background noise for me, limited vocals, before my time so I'm not distracted by music evoked memories. Next thing you know I'm in a zone knocking things off my to do list that goes overlooked when in the office. Good luck finding your zone.
98 weeks ago
Jonathan van de Veen: I sometimes have the same problem. This especially happens if I have work I got fed up with.
One thing that is important is to know this and then ...MoreI sometimes have the same problem. This especially happens if I have work I got fed up with.
One thing that is important is to know this and then take a break. Make sure you set a fixed length for this break. I usually take 20 minutes off. In this break, step away from the desk. Taking a walk helps me a lot.
Then after you come back to your desk, see if you can chop up this task you were working on into more peaces and create a list. Then start working on the items on the list and strike through any items you've done. This way you can give yourself a more rewarding way of working and you can get through tougher tasks easier.
HTH.
98 weeks ago
elizabeth: Thanks everyone for your replies.
98 weeks ago
Lori Fagerholm: Yep, that ol' lizard brain makes concentration and resisting temptation challenging. This is a huge problem for me as a freelancer. Frequent, ...MoreYep, that ol' lizard brain makes concentration and resisting temptation challenging. This is a huge problem for me as a freelancer. Frequent, brief breaks are important, especially since my brain seems to interpret boredom as a life-threatening condition, making my anxiety level shoot up. The other day, my internet was down, and for the first time I noticed just how often I attempted to click over to Facebook, since I couldn't just do it absent-mindedly and then get back to work. BIG time suck. So I have to will-power myself into just not opening FB except at breaks and after work. You guys have some great suggestions, I'm going to try them today.
98 weeks ago
Jeffrey Hulten: My favorite tool (since I mostly use Firefox) for combating distraction is LeechBlock (MoreMy favorite tool (since I mostly use Firefox) for combating distraction is LeechBlock (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4476). It allow you to mark certain sites off limits during a given window (9-5) or for a give period of time (90 minutes).
98 weeks ago
Scott Rossow: Great thread. Thanks for starting this, Elizabeth! Jeffrey, I'm definitely going to try LeechBlock right away. Anyone know if there is a ...MoreGreat thread. Thanks for starting this, Elizabeth! Jeffrey, I'm definitely going to try LeechBlock right away. Anyone know if there is a Google-Chrome equivalent?

Aaron, I also highly agree with your advice and especially the part about your preferred work music. 50's Swing Jazz is a great call. I find different styles of music to have a huge effect on my productivity. Much like you, the best option seems to be instrumental, non-distracting yet quick-paced. Higher-speed jazz (or 50's Swing) is perfect because it keeps you working quickly, keeps you from falling asleep, and stops the brain from wandering.
98 weeks ago
Jeffrey Hulten: Just found a Chrome equivalent called StayFocusd. MoreJust found a Chrome equivalent called StayFocusd. https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/laankejkbhbdhmipfmgcngdelahl...
98 weeks ago
: Great suggestions here. One thing I do is simple, but really does the trick for me. I simply unplug the power on my wireless router. That simple ...MoreGreat suggestions here. One thing I do is simple, but really does the trick for me. I simply unplug the power on my wireless router. That simple little act makes me focus on my work because it takes too much(maybe I'm a little lazy) to go plug it in, wait for it to reset, and then surf. It makes me keenly aware of my actions and whether or not they align with what I should be doing.
98 weeks ago
Amy Curley: Just joined and have to say that this same exact issue is haunting me right now...pretty soon my distractions are 2 hours+. Thought I may be ...MoreJust joined and have to say that this same exact issue is haunting me right now...pretty soon my distractions are 2 hours+. Thought I may be getting lazy in my work, but I think the main issue for me is that my work is self-paced, deadlines are soft, and nobody really hold me accountable. I have to hold myself accountable! Get going! See results! Wake up with a mission, and (maybe) load a software that can babysit me. :) Thanks to all of you, I feel that I am not the only one out there! We all have to overcome our brains and stay on task- be thankful that we have flexible jobs and even have a job at all these days. Now I'm getting back to work.
98 weeks ago
Alison Rayner: I think it's great that we can openly talk about the fact that when we work at home it can be a challenge to stay focused. In a traditional ...MoreI think it's great that we can openly talk about the fact that when we work at home it can be a challenge to stay focused. In a traditional workplace there is a lot of pressure from expectations to stay focused and "work" and that if we're not focused we're not productive. I know from myself that I put a lot of pressure on myself to be focused when I'm working at home and the reality is that I too fall prey to distractions of all varieties. I really enjoy the tips & tools that people have been posting. I've checked out a number of them & I think they will really make a difference in my life & productivity. My favs so far: Tungle.me & TeuxDeux. : ) Thanks!
98 weeks ago
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