If you are like me, once you are on the Internet, you can easily get lost for hours doing things you didn't go to the site to read. I am notorious for going onto facebook to find a post answer to your favorite foods you miss, only to end up 25 sites away watching a video of ninjas kicking in a car window.
I have tried several methods to keep me on track and behaving. Timers didn't help as I usually don't hear them. Or I turn them off and head back to what I was doing only to end up on another link clicking fest.
Today, I found something that is really going to get my butt in gear!
StayFocusd- A Google Chrome Extension
StayFocusd is a Google Chrome Extension that keeps you on track. It helps you stay focused on work by restricting your time on other websites (that you choose) where you can waste a butt ton of time goofing off.
I now have 20 minutes on each of the websites I waste time on. Facebook is one of those. So is Cracked.com because I can surf that site all day!
StayFocusd- Settings and Customizing
One of the best things about Stayfocusd is that I can customize it... a LOT! It starts out giving you 10 minutes to visit the sites you blocked. That's 10 minutes TOTAL. Not just for that one site. I chose 20 minutes to start out. I'll let you know how that goes.
You can also choose which days it runs and which days it is turned off. I am leaving them all on for now. I'll see how that goes. You can also choose which hours during the day it is turned off. I set up a three hour window where I can play a little longer, if I really want to!
StayFocusd- Blocking Sites
In the upper right hand corner of chrome will be a a little clock icon that you can click on. It has a red clock and a timer showing minutes left (after you click on it) if you are on a blocked site. The clock is green if you are on an allowed site. You can also choose to block the site from there. If you notice you are goofing off too much on your favorite site, just block it. You'll now have only a small amount of time to play.
If you open the settings, you can add a lot of sites at once. I added facebook, YouTube, and news sites (and a ton more). I basically added any site I tend to keep clicking and reading.
StayFocusd- Time for Housework!
Oh, StayFocusd is going to be my new best friend! When I go to start housework, I tend to take a small break in between chores, or while the washer is filling, or while I wait for the clothes to finish spinning in the spin dryer... But then I get lost.
StayFocusd is fixing that for me. I can block EVERYTHING! Every single website will be blocked for the time I choose. I haven't played with this setting yet. But I am going to later today. I'll let you know how it goes!
What StayFocusd means to you
I think this means I will be able to stay focused on blogging and not get lost in cyberspace when I should be working. It also means that I will probably be posting more often. That's exciting to me! Now, I will get blogging done, still be able to surf a little and still get my work done.
I am stoked! Time to go block the Internet for an hour to see how it goes...From The Baker's Acres! Read more at http://www.dotchilatham.com