As I mentioned in the article about Internet restriction, online productivity can be achieved through self-monitoring, monitoring online time, and blocking distracting pages.

a) Self-control does not work. Because we are human. If you are not distracted by anyone on the Internet, it means that you either do not notice it, or you are a person with iron nerves. Respect to you in the second case. You know what to do first.

b) Introspection is based on observation. In theory, seeing how many minutes you've spent will shame you and limit yourself. Kind of like eating the cookies you wanted to give to a friend. It doesn't always work - for example, you still eat cookies... However, if it helps you - try the above Rescue time or Manic Time. There are many alternatives that I'd better let you talk about to the authors of this article.

c) Blocking. Although it sounds scary, it works. Sincerely. Because the habit of checking Facebook every X minutes is just a habit - it's like an addiction that should be uprooted.

I personally use it for blocking Cold Turkey, which does not count the time spent on the pages, but simply blocks access at the time you want.

You can disconnect the entire internet or just selected pages (or all but a few - I disconnect everything except Spotify this way), X minutes from now or hours, whenever you want.

I like it too "Cold Turkey" i love I have purchased the PRO version which cost only 11 euros 1 for the whole life. One of my best purchases of the last year.

And also, there are alternatives, some of which I've tried and some of which I haven't.

I have tried StayFocusd.

This is a plug-in for the Chrome browser that works only in it, it's free. Although managing this plugin is a bit complicated, 2 it has one unique advantage - you can set the maximum time per day (or hour) you want to spend on one or another page.

For example, if you want to devote exactly 80 minutes to Facebook and Delphi per day (and no more), choose this setting and browse these pages as much as you want... Up to the 80-minute limit.

Of course, if you want, you can block the entire Internet anyway. I moved to Cold Turkey because StayFocusd only works in Chrome, and I don't just spend time in it.

I haven't tried these, but maybe someday I will - just for fun:

Or write me your feedback to danielius@debesyla.lt
and I will include it here!

1. Freedom. Almost indistinguishable from Cold Turkey. The difference is that you can also record on an iPhone or iPad. Slightly more expensive than CT.
2. SelfControl. For Mac only, free.
3. LeechBlock (Firefox). Basically exactly the same as StayFocusd, but for Firefox.
4. Focus, by Brad Jasper (Mac). Intended only for Mac computers, there is a function of various additional scripts (triggered at the moment of blocking and unblocking), linked to the Pomodoro technique - it is convenient to use it.
5. Zero Willpower (iOS). Very simple and beautiful design. For iOS devices only.
6. Focus Lock (Android). An alternative to Zero Willpower, but for Android devices. The feedback isn't fantastic, but for some it's just what you want.
7. Keep Me Out. It is based on the fact that you put the link in bookmarks and the time is calculated through this bookmark. Option when you cannot or do not want to save plug-ins and applications to your computer. Sure, it's totally easy to cheat. But, well, it's a "wooden" version, which might be enough.

And, in addition…
These don't block as much as help develop the skill of focus:

1. A whole million Pomodoro apps like this one. There are a lot of them, and you can also create it with just a phone or mechanical alarm clock - you set it for 25 minutes, after a 5-minute break... And repeat. They say it's productive. 3
2. Forest (Android). Gamified concentration! do you work Your forest and trees are growing! 🙂 Not working? Your forest and trees are dying! 🙁 Quite a fun game, very effective for some clouders I know. It's a pity that my phone doesn't work because it's old. Eh.
3. Focus, by Foggy Noggin (Mac). This one is pretty interesting because it doesn't so much block as darken all the windows you're not looking at. That is, if your application is not launched in full-screen mode, the windows in the background will be darkened. Focusing on the one you use!
4. Le Dimmer (Windows). An alternative to Windows. You can find instructions and a download on CNET.
5. Ghoster (Windows). Another one like Le Dimmer, only made earlier. And has a little more features.
6. Brain.fm. Music designed for your productivity or relaxation. The developers boast of years of scientific research, and the first few times I tried it, I really liked it. Electronic music for the brain. Yummy-yummy.
7. Habitica. Formerly known as Habit RPG, it's a role-playing game based on your habits. Create your own hero... And every time you mark a completed job or a repeated skill, he will receive experience points or gold. If you don't connect for several days, the hero will slowly lose life and eventually die. Don't let the hero die, become a hero, buy your man some nice armor and tame (or tame) that dragon!

…Good productivity!

And don't forget that productivity is product over time; not testing all applications. 😉