Top 10 Productivity Hacks - #2
Quick intro: This is one in a series of Top Productivity Hacks - little tips and tricks that are designed to make you more productive. At the end of the series I’ll post them all together in an overview.
Productivity Hack #2: Work off-line as much as possible
You’re doing it right now — the biggest distraction ever invented. The Internet can keep you occupied — and unproductive — for hours on end.
To increase your productivity, disconnect your Internet connection. Have scheduled times when you’re going to check your email, and only let yourself check your blogs or surf the web when you’ve gotten a certain amount done. When you do go online, do it on a timer. When the timer goes off, unplug again until the next scheduled time.
You’ll be amazed at how much work you’ll get done.
This is one of the best productivity tips I’ve ever used. Period.
Top 10 Productivity Hacks
- #10: Take care of your Most Important Things first
- # 9: Wake up early
- # 8: Simplify information streams, crank through blogs & email
- # 7: Declutter your workspace; work on one thing at a time
- # 6: Get to work early; work fewer hours
- # 5: Avoid meetings; when you must meet, make it effective
- # 4: Avoid unnecessary work
- # 3: Do the tough tasks first
- # 2: Work off-line as much as possible
- # 1: Do something you’re passionate about
- (More on Productivity)
See also:
- Purpose Your Day: Most Important Task (MIT)
- My Morning Routine
- How I Became an Early Riser
- Feeling Down? 7 Ways to Pick Yourself Up!
- Tracking My Goals (Ben Franklin hacked)
- Best Way to Jumpstart Your Day (evening routine)
- Top 20 Motivation Hacks
- Think About Your Life Goals
- Best 8 Way to Deal With Detractors
- Discipline is an illusion; Motivate yourself instead
- My Fav Procrastination Hack: 30-10
- Review Your Goals Weekly
- Posted on 27 February 2007 in Productivity & Organization |
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Comments (8)
thebeathouse Says:
February 27th, 2007, 8:39 am
this post really made me realize how much time I waste on the internet doing nothing!!
time for me to improve this
thanks :)
Andrew Says:
February 27th, 2007, 11:48 am
I wholeheartedly agree - the internet is the biggest time waster, and distraction, ever invented!
Now if I could just bring myself to reach…for…the…(gasp)…modem…cable…
Leo Says:
February 27th, 2007, 12:29 pm
Thanks for the comments, guys … it would be embarrassing to admit how much time I waste on the internet myself. When I do follow this hack, it makes so much difference. Lemme go follow it now!
Jim Says:
February 27th, 2007, 16:15 pm
I agree completely, Leo. Getting a laptop with wireless really spoiled this one study space I used to use where there were no ethernet jacks. Once I committed to switching off wireless in that space, things got a lot better. I wrote about this experience in a post on my site: Personal productivity, time logs, and the Internet-free workspace.
Leo Says:
February 27th, 2007, 16:23 pm
Hi Jim, thanks for the comment. Excellent article … keep up the great work.
John Says:
February 28th, 2007, 7:24 am
This is something I need to do more of. Online there are always new feeds, emails, and other distractions. Its hard to stay productive.
Leo Says:
February 28th, 2007, 12:06 pm
@John: thanks for the comment. I myself waste too much time on this blog — I don’t feel like it’s a waste, as I love doing it, but I do have two other jobs to worry about. :)
Melanippe Says:
June 10th, 2008, 6:18 am
Hi, for a translator this simply doesn’t work. Very often you don’t find the correct translation of a word in a dictionary but have to google a lot, fish through specialized websites, companies’ websites, translators’ websites… because the languages evolve, and paper dictionaries just don’t ;-)
Wow, I just found an exception to your rule :-)
