Boost your productivity: Cripple your technology | matt.might.net
Plus additional advice from Carlos Andrew Reeder
This article summarizes a lot about the distractions this wonderful tool called the computeer creates. Some excerpts to ponder: For those that spend their working hours attached to a computer, distraction is never more than a few keystrokes away. It's too easy to switch from editing a document to blowing time on the web. For many of us, the biggest gains in productivity do not come from following a specific methodology for "getting things done." It comes from erecting transaction costs to nonproductive behavior.
The productivity paradox
The productivity paradox, popularized by economist Erik Brynjolfsson, notes that computational power has advanced exponentially for decades, yet growth in labor productivity remains modest.
While many factors explain the paradox, the one most relevant to modern knowledge workers is the dual capacity of technology to aid and to distract.
To resolve this paradox, my guiding principle for productivity applies:
Mold your life so that the path of least resistance
is the path of maximum productivity.
Tips to consider:
#1: Use dry-erase boards and journals
If a large portion of your work involves playing with ideas, buy a large dry erase board. Step away from the machine.
Getting away from the computer makes it hard to subconsciously slip into autonomic procrastinatory tendencies.
#2: When outlining, brainstorming or calculating, use a journal instead of a computer.
#3: Block distracting sites; get an iPad
It's easy to sink hours into sites like reddit.
If you find yourself spending too much time on some sites, block them permanently them using tools like Leechblock for Firefox andStayFocusd for Chrome.
To browse these sites, use a dedicated device like an iPad
When you need to get work done, remove that device from the room.
I haven't found a good site-blocking tool for Safari. If you need to disable Safari on a Mac, use:
sudo port chmod ogu-rx /Applications/Safari.app
and to re-enable it:
sudo port chmod ogu+rx /Applications/Safari.app
#4:Put yourself in airplane mode
Many find airplane flights unexpectedly productive.
For a few hours, the prime distractions of modern life are gone: coworkers, TV, email, phone, text messaging and time-draining web sites.
Spend a couple hours each day in airplane mode: disable the internet on your computer and put your phone in airplane mode.
#5: Time Management your day in blocks.
Each different time management system is not necessarily suitable to all people or for all uses for which people need them. My approach, is to choose specific tasks or commitment assignments and assign a REASONABLE block of time to that task. (As hard to adhere to as my bootcamp class at the gym)
This might throw some of you off, but don't over prepare and give yourself some slack. Resist the urge to "refine it" one more time, adhere to your cut off deadline and get to the next planned event.
Lastly, if you require tools to help you structure a plan, there's a fabulous prioritizing grid in Richard Bolles's What Color is Your Parachute? that can be easily adapted to your daily schedule.
Just a thought!
