The biggest problem with the Internet is that it’s entirely too easy to get distracted. We’ve all wilfed at one time or another — what started as an innocent task-related web search ended up down some rat hole of links until you’re reading a web comic about falling into a couch and confronting the dark nebulous force of Lost Things. Stupid internet, so bright and shiny and full of useful and entertaining information.
43Folders recommends setting a procrastination dash to attack tasks you’re having trouble getting started on. The (10+2)*5 system suggests doing 5 intervals of 10 minutes of work, followed by 2 minutes of “me time” as a way to get yourself on a groove and find your flow. It’s a great system, and it really works, especially if you use the Instant Boss software.
Instant Boss is a tiny software app that will let you know when your 10 minute / 2 minute timers are up. If you want to take a longer break than 2 minutes (because you’re saving an interesting article, or writing an email to a friend) then it will keep reminding you to get back to work every minute on the dot.
It’s one of those great little applications that works exactly as specified. I highly recommend it.
- Download Instant Boss 5*(10+2) procrastination dash tool (for Windows)
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8 Comments
Hey.. I need this! I’m going to try it. Thanks!
I think I’d find myself clicking “Longer Break” all the time. Which would REALLY amount to wasting time :P
@Ross:
The nice thing about clicking longer break is that it gives you a 1 minute notification. You *do* eventually stop your break because it makes you conscious of how many minutes have pass.
I also love how the titlebar keeps track of how many minutes left of your current cycle. Great, great app.
Workrave is good for the rsi factor too - and getting up to stretch always manages to distract me away from the computer :)
http://www.workrave.org/welcome/
This is really great, thanks!
Heh! This seems funny, and I am not sure if it’ll end up being irritating. Lemme try it and see how it feels…
Great idea!!
related suggestion:
I occasionally keep a log for a whole work day of what I did. Only to the nearest 15 minutes- — and not religiously every day, just once in a while.
Just looking back at the unnecessary faffing around will refocus me and stop me from wasting more time.
If excessive web surfing is a problem, look through your browser’s history at the end of the day. You’ll see how much time you spent each site.
@Richard:
You’ll like this link I discovered about the Printable CEO. It’s printable sheets for task organization and time tracking.
http://davidseah.com/archives/2007/01/02/emergent-task-planner-2007-updates/
http://davidseah.com/archives/2006/12/29/emergent-task-timer-2007-form-updates/
hope you find them as useful as i do
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[...] Internet Duct Tape talks about how procrastination dashes made him a better worker. [...]
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[...] Internet Duct Tape (some really handy tools ie: “the Instant Boss” - see below) How Procrastination Dashes Made Me a Better Worker: The biggest problem with the Internet is that it’s entirely too easy to get distracted. We’ve [...]
[...] came across an interesting Windows app that will help you to stay focused and be productive from Internet Duct Tape. This software have a long name: Instant Boss 5*(10+2) procrastination dash [...]