How to Do Work on a Computer Without Distractions

Posted on 20. Oct, 2009 by Squealing.Rat in How To

Create a User Account

A while back I realized that it was a pain to put limits on what you can do on your computer while working, then switching back to the original settings when you were done. But what would happen if you created a separate user account? A completely new user account dedicated to doing working efficiently. Create this account on your computer, then, when you have real work to do, log in to this user account and get work done.

Block It

Make it impossible to access Gmail, Addicting Games and the like in your new “do work” user account. Read the following tutorials on how to block addicting websites. Also, use the parental controls on your computer to block your addicting desktop applications as well.

Stop web procrastination with LeechBlock

8aweek : Control your Browsing Habits and Distractions

How to block websites that kill your productivity.

Methods to Block Websites

Just Type

The problem with typing nowadays with Word is that it is too darn distracting. You write one wrong word, and boom, red line. You can literally spend hours picking out a font. And that delete key gets extra wear by your constant indecision. Here is the solution: Typewriter. You probably don’t know this, but in the olden days there were pieces of metal equipment called typewriters that mechanically printed letters on paper without formatting or the delete key (people would just x out letters).

Weird, I know, but some of the best novels were written on typewriters. One of the reasons for this is that a typewriter reduces distractions. This application, Typewriter, imitates a typewriter. No backspace, no formatting, just you and that blank screen.

Save

You may not think of this as a distraction, but the act of dragging that file you have working on every two minutes to your thumb drive, completely distracts you. So, make sure that the tools you need are running in the background, backing up your every move. I am a big fan of Dropbox (link gives us both an extra 250 mb), a system in which you just press save and the program does the rest, syncing documents, throughout other computers and to the cloud.

You could also use Google Docs, an online word processor, which automatically saves your work without the need to press save. If you are composing anything in a browser, I also strongly recommend that you grab the Firefox extension Lazarus. Lazarus backups forms and online entries silently in your browser. The data is kept on your computer and if something should happen, you can simply relaunch the window and recover the work.

Don’t Work on A Computer

Sounds simple, right? Maybe it is impossible for you. But if you have the option, and you think you could bring yourself to tear away from the screen, go for it. Grab a good old fashioned pen, and write away. And good luck!

Uni-Task

Do not multi-task. On the computer, but also in life in general, people often “multi-task.” According to them, multi-tasking allows you to work on several tasks at the same time. Unfortunately, multi-tasking does not help you work. By working on several things at the same time, you lose your focus, and use up crucial time to regain it every time you switch working.

So, if you are thinking of checking email while listening to the news, think again. Or watching a video while IMing and sending emails. Try to focus on one thing a time and you will find that you get your work done faster.

LostInTechnology