Or, try one of the free distraction-deterring software tools (such as StayFocused, Cold Turkey, or Focus Booster, which block access to a particular site after a certain number of minutes set by you).Īlternately, some of the time management or personal analytics services like RescueTime, ManicTime, or Toggl are useful, since they don’t prevent you from doing anything, but they track and categorize your computer activities. Try not to have those sites always open in your browser. Set up automatic replies to texts on your phone (e.g., “Sorry, I’m writing and can’t reply right now”).Īside from email, social media and nonacademic websites can also distract us when we go online to do research. ![]() So, if you can’t turn off your email, at least turn off sounds and text alerts that show up in print over your typing screen in programs like Outlook, Gmail, and Facebook. Also, those who choose when to check it, instead of responding to email alerts, are more productive (Mark et al. Research shows that people who check their email only three times a day are less stressed than those who check it repeatedly (Kushlev and Dunn 2015). Distracting yourself from the task at hand allows you to let go of mistaken assumptions, reexamine the clues in a new way, and come back fresh” (Carey 2014).īut, if you mean to go for a few minutes and spend hours, try closing down email software when writing. “A short study break-five, ten, twenty minutes to check in on Facebook, respond to a few emails, check sports scores-is the most effective technique learning scientists know of to help you solve a problem when you are stuck. In particular, email is the zombie behind the closed door and we are the idiot characters who open the door, thinking, “I just want to peek at what’s in there, it will just take a second.” And hours later we come to ourselves, among the undead.įirst, let me say that, research suggests that the distraction of the internet can be good. Unfortunately, becoming conscious of that moment in the day when it has become a drag on productivity is tough. The internet is essential for modern life and work we can’t opt out of it. ![]() 22: “I get distracted by web surfing, e-mailing, and text messaging.”
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