Need something to help my productivity

[Mikesev]

Anyone know of any programs on the Mac that can block all but certain sites for defined periods?

I procrastinate or get distracted far too easily and would really benefit from being able to block all but the sites I'm working on for an hour or so at a time.

I mainly use firefox.

Anyone know of an app or plugin that can do this?

 

[machinecontrol]

Leechblock

 

[cougarclaws]

edit your HOSTS file

 

[Dr_Ngo]

Leechblock, Rescuetime is a nice supplement.

Also look up the Pomodoro Technique.

 

[onkelmicha]

Also look up the Pomodoro Technique.

That...

Pomodoro always get me trough boring tasks..

 

[shopdeal]

try the pomodoro technique + leechblock

 

[dchuk]

load up your bank account in a tab and constantly look at how little cash you have, you'll snap into shape right quick

 

[fm1234]

^^^this, or use my system:

1) Look on to-do list to see what needs to be done at the moment

2) Check browser address bar to confirm whether I am at appropriate place to achieve 1)

3) If not, go there.

See more in-depth anaylsis and tips in my upcoming ebook Are You At the Correct Website? 107 More Proven Strategies to Determine Whether or Not You Are! Killer aff prog will be attached; pm me if you want to volunteer to be a case study or get review discount.


Frank
/fucking ADD generation

 

[Napolean]

If your using a router, some routers may have settings to block sites. Not sure if they do it at intervals, but since most routers have a web interface to apply settings, wouldnt be too difficult to actually program a php/perl/python/etc script or something to run locally that would block/unblock your distraction sites.

 

[amanda11]

The simplest solution: unplug your internet.

 

[xentech]

Methamphetamine.

 

[kisforkarla]

load up your bank account in a tab and constantly look at how little cash you have, you'll snap into shape right quick

This ^ + Pomodoro (I believe Firefox has a plug in)

Meth may not be so helpful, you could find yourself in the backyard, in the dark trimming your lawn with scissors and a flashlight.

 

[jryan21]

Not leech blocking, but productivity in general:

http://www.wickedfire.com/shooting-shit/99718-check-out-my-new-little-site.html

Goal Setting with Slackk | Reach your goals or we embarrass you

 

[bauss]

Methamphetamine.

yeeeee

 

[amateursurgeon]

Put an elastic band on your wrist.

Whenever you catch yourself doing something you're not supposed to, pull it out and snap it on the inside of your wrist.

You'll soon stop. Negative reinforcement FTW.

 

[DanWesson]

^^That's the most interesting solution I've ever seen in one of these type threads.

 

[HealthConverter]

The best way to stop messing around on the computer? Open up the inside of the box and smash everything therein with a potent magnet.

 

[ebtek]

Not leech blocking, but productivity in general:

http://www.wickedfire.com/shooting-shit/99718-check-out-my-new-little-site.html

Goal Setting with Slackk | Reach your goals or we embarrass you

aaaaahahahahahaaaaa


Failure to login and update your progress will result in automatic status updates/tweets.

 

[Mikesev]

Cheers for the suggestions, Leechblock is exactly what I was looking for and some other good tips here too.

Pomodoro technique looks to be quite cool, will try it.

 

[pegasus2218]

+1 for Pomodoro. I use this for my Mac: Pomodoro | Pomodoro
Best part about it is that you can type in what you want it to say when you start or finish a task; mine's setup with my favorite Lebowski quotes: "They're gonna kill that poor woman!" "The bums will always lose!"

I'd never heard of RescueTime but it looks amazing, definitely going to check it out. Might even replace Pomodoro for me, although I'll miss my inspiring quotes.