How to ACTUALLY Stop Wasting Time on the Internet
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- It's so easy to procrastinate on your work when the distractions of the internet are only a click away.
In this video, I'll show you some tools and practices you can use to finally overcome those online temptations.
Got work to do? Don't read the rest of this description - just go get it done.
Tools:
Cold Turkey - getcoldturkey....
Tomighty Pomodoro Timer - tomighty.org/
Do the thing.
---------
If you're on a break...
My book "10 Steps to Earning Awesome Grades" is completely free, so check it out if you're interested in improving your grades!
collegeinfogeek...
If you want to get even more strategies and tips on becoming a more productive, successful student, subscribe to my channel right here:
buff.ly/1vQP5ar
Twitter ➔ / tomfrankly
Instagram ➔ / tomfrankly
~ created by Thomas Frank
Music: "Black Lung" and "Nola" by Broke for Free: brokeforfree.com/
A lot of people are asking about options for mobile phones; while there definitely are some, I think your phone is easier to deal with than a computer. You probably need your computer for studying and work - you almost never need your phone for those purposes. So simply shutting it off during your work sessions is an effective strategy ;)
That being said, if you feel the need to use an app instead, here are your options:
Android - Cold Turkey
iOS - Freedom (ironically not free), though I've heard that it's not 100% effective because of the way iOS is designed. An alternative is Forest, which encourages you not to use your phone rather than straight-up blocking content.
Thomas Frank Hey Tom!
For Android users they can check out Digital Detox App... The fun part is if you try to quit your session they charge you $1 for quitting so there you go and it's free for Android.
For iPhone, you can also open up settings > General > Restrictions, then have somebody type in a passcode that will restrict certain apps/websites. Only problem is you need another person!
Thomas Frank Caught me red handed. I should be going to sleep right but instead I'm watching this and delaying the time where I should be getting rest.
Great video. Do you know a strategy to overcome work related procrastination? For example against watching to many talks, lectures on a topic or researching stuff that seems interesting but isn't needed for the task. also selectively blocking youtube is something I am looking for a long time cause especially when coding in a new or fast changing framework/library videos of conferences or howtos on youtube are a good source for me.
Thomas Frank highly recommend Forest
Just had a long weekend with plenty of time to get caught up on my assignments that were due today and I blew the entire weekend mostly watching videos. I'm hopeless.
Drogo Baggins Same here
lol don't worry dude you're not the only one.
same..
Literally, this happens to me every single weekend of my life.
Well, you'll probably end up working a mediocre job just like the rest of us, and it'll probably be a worse job than if you were to have stopped watching videos. I'm not saying that's a bad thing; somebody has to work all jobs. I probably work a shittier job now than I would be working if I had stayed in college. But that's just life. Most of us are mediocre. That's where the name comes from. You can choose to embrace mediocrity, or reject it.
I saw this in my feed when I needed it most.
omg sameee
but i still wont do any work :)
Yeah, makes you wonder how much they're tracking us huh? I mean, I wasn't even looking up videos on this, just listening to linkin park breaking the habit and thinking "hey I really need to stop wasting time online." Open up my RUclips homepage and BAM!
On windows 10, how do I make an account that doesn't have access to specific apps? I made a work account but the games show up on both accounts.
same
You have a video for everything
i know right.
169 likes lmao
For Thomas Frank videos, I will make the exception. So please, go ahead and waste my time.
Jovan Nguyen but you're missing the points he's trynna make of his videos xD
How did you know I'm procrastinating by watching this video 😅😭
Natasha Rose Hey beautiful, can I buy you a drink? Nah...
BatmanVsSombies lol weirdo
Pyschology 👌👌
Don't worry sistah we shall overcome procastination some day!
im just comenting so u guys get notification, and watch this video again to stop procastinating :p
I came here whilst wasting time on the internet...
Me too Bro...
Yep...
Denny Vlogs when you gon start making vlogs????
weeeeeeeeeee internet
was expecting top comment to say this, was not dissapointed
1.How not to get distracted. (until 4:30)
2. What to do to disengage from distraction (4:30 - 5:40)
3. Goal: To Build Attention Muscle with help from Tools. (after 5:40)
Ultimate goal is to reach a stronger brain where u no longer need tools.
Thanks Thomas!
You have no idea how effectively the Pomodoro technique helped me out, thanks to your video.
I've been trying man, for ages, to be constant and effective while working on a PC (9 hours a day) and nothing worked.
This was like a charm, so seriously, thank you.
I'd like to give back so I'll add Spanish subtitles to your video today.
Edit: sent for revision already!
Okey well what happens if the wall becomes too interesting, and you start making stories in your head and all...
Mika Zahar I've got the same problem
It's horrible ain't it.
Mika Zahar this could help, at least it did for me but you could use the pomodoro app called Focus Keeper (iOS)), it ticks and makes it hard to lose focus since it keeps reminding you to get back to your task.
I'll give it a shot thanks !
Well you use the same technique.
If the wall is the problem, get rid of it. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
I wish Cold Turkey was available to help me stop eating.
But wait... turkey sounds good rn...
Warm turkey sounds even better though
Jami Clayton why stop eating? You are beautiful enjoy food and life.
It is. It's called cigarettes :D. You're welcome.
Rose Wayne You aren't helping anybody. Reality is harsh. Stop trying to put a sugar coat on everything, someday It will blow in your face.
Six years later and this is still great advice. And yes, I am definitely supposed to be working right now.
That moment you realize your homework requires RUclips.
yeah...
This happens to me as well, and it's where my brain gets sneaky. Even when only 5% of my work might need RUclips or Facebook, it's easy to convince myself to leave it unblocked 100% of the time. Doesn't usually turn out well.
Is there a way to temporarily block certain youtube channels while studying and have access to other channels that put out educational videos?
Poxow my teacher makes RUclips vids homework all the time and then I have to have the will power not to watch comedy...
@@sharansrivatsa210
I found this option on RUclips were it reminds me every 10 mins (you can set any time) to take break.
THERE'S AN ONLINE POKEMON TRADING CARD GAME????
I shouldn't have told you guys - what have I done
LOL
My thought exactly...
Romano Coombs Haha, make that 184 now.
Make that 245
But I wanna know so many things. I research something all the time. That's actually the "worst" thing about the internet for me.
Same! 😟
don't look! Yeah sometimes I’ll instantly get amazed by a topic I was thinking of in my mind or that I saw in my homework that I want to look up and once I do that I can get distracted
My time on the internet well spent 😊 thanks Thomas
I actually got some help from this for working at home. I have ADHD, and it's incredible how much I get distracted online. I research, I watch RUclips, I use FaceBook, and I use Tumblr. Sometimes, it's for work, but I have to do the actual work on the same computer. So, this really helps me! :)
thanks, this video came in the right moment to me, I'm thinking a lot how internet affects my study
It's amazing how your topics come in perfect time :')
Salma Almekhlafi I also say that :') incredible!
it's always gonba be a perfect time to 'say stop procrastinating' when you procrastination most of the time lol :')
Every day is the perfect time for me.
5:57 LOL "2 many views 4 you 2 handle"
Don't forget "Thomas Frank, Destroyer of the Rap Game" :p
I've been watching some of your videos and applying some of the techniques, and I want to say thanks for helping me refocus my studies. I'm not a student, but I'm living in Japan long term and have been feeling demotivated recently about Japanese. Your tips are really practical and effective. (And yes, I watched this on my "break" so I did click the subscribe button!) Ok, back to studying!
Hi Thomas. I just wanted to tell you that your book has helped me A LOT. Proudly I watched this video on a break, and not procrastinating. So I just wanted to say from my heart thank you very much!
Hey you! YES, you are probably scrolling through the comments and not paying attention to the video! I know you have some work todo. So get to it!!!!!!!! (or you are on summer break. I mean it is June...)
One of the easiest things I've been doing lately is whenever I have a half hour or more that I don't have to be on a computer and/or use my phone, I just turn it off. Saves energy for my devices and having to push that button is another "think about this carefully" moment.
*LOVE* the Cat off the table at 5:03 xD
Tjaša Deu hehe.
Yeah that was preety cute ♥▼♥
self discipline is a motherfucka. need all the assistance and resources I can get. good content, my guy.
My favourite chrome extension is block & focus, it blocks websites based on the pomodoro technique and is really simple
What about Firefox?
another thing I love about you and it's something that people sort of stray away from but when you read a lot you realize this and that is at the end of the video you give us the option you realize that no one really has to subscribe to you and intelligent people just realized that we can bounce ideas off of each other and in a sense we "use"each other
3 seconds into video I opened 3 other tabs looking at websites I've opened a zillion times before and simultaneously pretended checking mails...how fucking stupid.
As a high school counselor, I LOVE LOVE this find! Thanks for all of the resources which I will share with students and parents alike.
procrastination is something that i always find difficult to get over with😭even at this moment i'm wasting time online..!
I just tried the pomodoro technique today and it was ABSOLUTELY EFFECTIVE to keep focused for hours , thanks man
This video was like ordered lol
Perfect timing
Ergo Proxy!!!!!!!
Yeees? :D
In short (this is my version, not the brief of the video) ... Install a Pomodoro timer on your phone, wake up early and do not turn on wifi; start work/study/etc.. untill you finish it .. if you need internet, try to set a timer for yourself and turn off notifications so that you don't get distracted when you go online. while on Pomodoro breaks, go outside; pee or drink water; exercise or talk to other people; but DO NOT PUT ANYTHING INTO YOUR MIND like watching a youtube video or the news or memorizing etc... live the age before technology as much as you can and study
I study psychology at university. I'm currently during a course on memory & learning - it was really cool being able to know most of the questions she asked the class because you make videos based on actual scientific research. So glad I found your channel!
.... does that make watching your videos a form of revision? ;)
I'd say they're at least another source of info! I find that exposing myself to multiple sources helps me remember things more concretely :)
I tend not to comment on most videos, but just wanted to say thanks about promoting this app. Already it's making an impressive difference.
" STOP WASTING TIME ONLINE" caught my eye lol
This was in my watch later for like 4 years and I decided to watch it and change my life after 4 years .
Love your videos and this one couldn't have come at a better time
I got around Cold Turkey so easily. Managed to delete the thing without problems, but before that even proxy sites did the trick. Damn. My lack of self-control is out of control... Then again, I can work when I need to. And Pomodoro is bae. Really helps me focus and the timer puts some pressure on me, so I usually perform better.
This is exactly what I've been needing. Your videos are really helpful, thank you so much!!
I understand this very well. The difference between the real world and the internet seems to fade and you're suddenly dragged into this place where you think that the internet is your real life or it can be you real life but it can't and it isn't. I'm done feeling bad being here,feeling guilty or pressured or whatever,thank God it's New Year,I have a vacation and I plan to use it to relax,bake some cookies for the Holidays,see friends and stay the hell away from here,I mean,I have people I love in real life,I do,so what the hell am I even doing here? When you come from a point from being a cold person to being super obsessed one,that's a sign that something is wrong. It happened to me,it won't happen again. I'm done with all the mushy internet stuff! No need to ban others,I ban myself,that's it. Several weeks ago I hid my phone in a drawer and I had peace like I've never had in my life. That's it. Don't wait up.
I love how you actually seen to enjoy what you are doing, and how you also help thousands of people with your advice. Keep it up, I especially love it when you talk about sleep or planning :)
Greetings from the Netherlands :D
The fact that people actually search for this and that there are actually videos just shows how important the Internet is in our daily life
Good. Another 7:24 wasted. Thank you.
Hey In The Case of Cold Turkey. Step 1. Turn off your internet. Step 2. Change your date to where the timer ends. Step 3. Open Coldturkey. Step 4. Turn on your internet connection. I don;t know if it works on the newer versions. But it sure does work on the older ones.
Your video brought up my problem, that is I seem to have nothing to do. I'm a senior in highschool with straight A's but most of my time, if not all of it, is playing games or watching videos.
good sacred book of choice.
it's the worst when I'm trying to do online marketing. Your work environment is the distraction.
i feel like i have a one-minute attention span, do u have any advice on that?
Your attention span is like a muscle; you've gotta train it. Listen to this: collegeinfogeek.com/deep-work/
i will! thanks for the quick response.
I have a real problem with not getting things done. I've tried some form of all of these techniques, and I've got nowhere with them. Cold turkey? Stopped activating it after a while. StayFocused? Circumvented it. Even, when I was using Cold Turkey I would literally step away from my computer and do something, anything else. Sometimes I would just sit there and do nothing because I couldn't distract myself. It was real bad. I never went quite as far as to set up a monetary punishment if I didn't hit particular targets, partially because I was (and am) a broke ass student, mostly because I knew it wouldn't work and I would just haemorrhage money.
But, I could work. I have always been capable of reaching that last minute mindset and simply Getting it Done. Not only that, but I can get work done in huge amounts when I feel like it. When I'm in the zone I don't even think about distractions, and when I'm in a "work mood", it costs me no effort to acknowledge and reject a distraction, any distraction. I've realized that the reason I can do this is I'm very strong willed, and similar my will makes me almost unstoppable when I want to be distracted.
Then I came across RescueTime. In the three months since I installed it my monthly productive time has increased by almost exactly 250% (I know, because the app tells me.) What it does is log exactly what you do on your computer, and for how long. It doesn't get confused by you having nineteen million tabs open, and it can distinguish between you watching a movie and just walking away from your computer for a couple of hours. Then, it categorises your activity and gives you a bunch of charts in red and blue - red for distracting, blue for productive. For me, this was magic. My issue was that I didn't want to work - and this gave me something to want about the work itself, not a reward to have afterwards. I can't think long term like that, emotionally. Rewards and punishments don't work for me - but watching that little blue bar get bigger and bigger AS I got things done? That worked.
In a video a while ago you said that motivation is about Rewards, Punishments and distractions... and that doesn't ring true for me. I think a huge factor for a lot of people is a desire for the work itself. If you really get off on writing essays, all that other stuff just melts away! I think a lot of us frame work as this unpleasant thing that we have to make ourselves do, but sometimes it doesn't have to be that way.
Do " how to get over guilt, forgive and move on"
the app Quality Time is an AMAZING android app that tracks how long you use your phone in a day day that shows you usage per hour/day/week. you can also take breaks where only whitelisted apps are stored to be used (calculator etc..). Forest is also a good app for pushing out distraction.
Can you please do a video on how to utilise Evernote most effectively?
Dude,
I hope you find a super great project that you will realise in your life and of which you will be proud, you deserve it.
Have a good day and a great life.
what is your current top project
omg there's an online Pokémon trading card game?!! Your supposed to help me 😂
Painting on a canvas while watching this video. Lol Hey, I'm taking baby steps, and so far its working for me: less time goofing off and more time being productive.
self control is ruthless
I like your advice to take a 10-20 minute walk in the morning. Seeing some trees and sunshine (if I'm lucky) works for me.
Yep. Got my hand on my kindle.
In other news, i like the music :)
I love how your 'Recommended' videos are basically the same as mine...
And I bet I share that with quite a few of your subscribers.
I should probably use Cold Turkey and block YT, because that's the main reason I don't get stuff done :D Thanks for the tips!
I've been binge-watching your videos and avoiding homework. But in my defense, I was already distracted, procrastinating, and lacking motivation. I just came here because I know you have videos on how to combat all of that.
ouuups guess who caught us wasting tiiiime 😂 😂 😂
I had to come back to comment on your video after having listened to it when you first posted it. A lot of the advice you have given has help me out a lot.
This is random but you should make a video of your personality type on the Myers Briggs exam
Jakeline Chavez intp master race
Although I enjoyed taking it myself over the years and looking up what my type means, there's actually not much support for the MBTI. Better personality tests are the Big 5 and HEXACO.
Franzi Sparkle mmm i dunno, i got it done and read the book that came with my type, and it was incredibly accurate and gave me alot of helpful advice
Jimmy James same! it honestly explained so much of my life and really gave insight into how and why i do things as a person.
Jimmy James infp but my F was very marginal with only 3%
Thank you for this video. Thank you. Thank you. THANK you! Just got coldturkey because of you, I have completely transformed the way I do things now. Thank you.
"How to ACTUALLY Stop Wasting Time on the Internet"
I saved some time, and only commented this video, never watched it...
If you suffer from serious internet addiciton don't use apps or websites, you need to physically get away from the internet. The tips mentioned here are very helpful if you still have a little bit of willpower left. If you're 24/7 online first thing to do is start sitting in your room without any distractions for a couple of minutes and gradually increase the time span to get used to the silence again. If you sit there long enough and get bored you are more likely to start something productive. The urge to go online will fade as you sit there. Just my personal experience.
Im wasting time right now
Tridac Thomas frank is an exception duh
@@kayaeki how’re you 4 years later
A thing that one could done that is similar to the second tip is install another OS (just for work) in your computer in Dual Boot. Not only it works for avoiding procrastination, but also to motivate learning other OS.
...You got me.
Thanks for the video! Another tip: if you don't have (access to) another computer to designate for work only, you can use multiple desktops on your computer to create a similar effect. That's what I do when my screen is getting too crowded, but I don't want to close everything I'm not *currently* using cuz I will need them in the near future!
Harry Potter and the goblet of fire is sacred alright.
just wanted to say that I really like your overall vibe. there are many self help gurus out there, but many have this certain level of smugness that comes across and is really off-putting. you don't have that and I appreciate the info! nothing new but always helps to be reminded :) another tip is journaling. it ties into the law of attraction and the self-fulfilling prophecy. the more you focus on what you want in life, the more your brain will be primed into seeking that goal and actually taking steps to achieve it
I like listening to study music on youtube -- I find that it really helps me concentrate. However, if I want to listen to study music on youtube, I can't block youtube. And if youtube's not blocked, every hour (or sometimes half an hour) or so, I'll fall into a procrastination spiral. Oh dear.
Use spotify for your music
Or soundcloud which is free :)
Or use the Forest extension. It lets you enter a site without scrolling or clicking on it. So if you go to a video often enough (like study music), you can just go to it straight from the URL bar and listen to it without being able to do anything else on youtube.
It's literally the beginning of the term and I'm already procrastinating on 3 simple homework assignments
In my personal opinion this video is structured backwards. The really really meaningful advice and take away is at the end of the video. I believe that if all of the thing about building a stronger mental muscle were at the beginning, then the people would be way more encouraged to get any app that help them to do that. But anyways, great content.
I'll start my report now....
You might be right, and my original plan was to cover that part first. Eventually I decided to talk about the apps first because I wanted to give people a quick win right up front - sometimes I can get a bit long-winded talking about the overarching goals/theory before I get into the meat.
Damn, I think this is your definitive best and most informative video so far. Cheers man!
I see you with that Heli Attack 2 ;)
YOU CAN'T TAKE HELI ATTACK 2 AWAY FROM ME
ive been trying to sleep for the past hour but then i found this guys channel....
Step 1: Stop watching this video
Thank you
By following that mindset you expressed, I will end up locking myself in a room with only a book that I have to read for hours. However, knowing myself, I would probably still find something else to do. For instance, go for a nap, or fantasise. So, in short, your approach is too reductive, and I am looking forward for your further sugestions on this topic. Nevertheless, thank you for your work, it is still more useful than reaction videos on RUclips.
sorry, what did you said? I didn't pay attention...
I can see you also didn't pay much attention during your English Grammar lessons
gricius English is probably not his first language.
Thanks man! Now i'm using forest and it is really great! Its because of you I'm more productive.
No joke the moment you started talking I was like "OH, shoot. MY NaNoWriMo word count." lol.... I need to get back to work and watch this later xD love your vids man.
same honestly 😂 ive been slacking
I was supposed to be working more on my music and studying for technician school but here i am
Hi thomas, great video, but a question from me, any coldturkey-like apps version for android, because I realize most of my time literally wasted on smartphone, not the computer (unless for games)
Yep - Cold Turkey actually has an Android version. However, I honestly think you should just turn your phone off when you're working if it's a problem. Hardly anybody needs their phone for work/studying - with computers, it's a different story.
there is an app called "keep me out" that locks your phone for some given time so you cannot access it. try it it helps me a lot cause I have had the same problem.
Ricky Mandloi Thomas Frank thanks for the suggestion :)
Downloaded that app. Thanks!
Most people say at the end of their video, click below or on the screen or wherever. He said don't click.
Your backgroud music is annoying to the content of the video.
This is the first video on this topic that has actually been useful to me... Thanks
How not to get distracted by the move of your mouth?
Tape your mouth shut
Best part about procrastination that I always come across great information resources such as this RUclips channel
Are you getting paid to promote these certain applications ?
+Sammy Black nope, they're just what I use or have found during research. I do have a couple of sponsored videos in the works, but they'll always be clearly disclosed.
It's less of a "distraction loop" and more of a "depression loop" at this point.
So turning off the internet or even the computer won't change anything; I'll just find something else to do, even if it's staring at the carpet between my feet. I've become a horrible master of wasting time.
My biggest problem isnt with my computer, it's with my phone. Still havent found something to help me with that.
Lock and Key. Key with you roommate or friend.
xdarkness22x turn it off ask a friend to hide it
Ask someone to hide it
Why don't you do like me. I'm keeping 14 days without access any social line, for example, whatsapp/facebook ... and I'm studying 12 hours a day. So while doesn't finish all these 14 days I not allowed to access those ones, including go out in the evening, watch series and things like that. I'm just improving myself. Remember always yourself " Knowledge is what create's wealth ", so either you have courage or sleep with will. Who controls you? Do you control your mind or you let It controls you?! Make that answer all the time you feel...
Walter Carvalho Wow, thank you so much!
My theory is that computers change the way your brain works. I tend to be more focused after a session of reading a book.
If you find yourself getting distracted on the computer A LOT, get off your Computer. Take a break. Go out, read the newspaper, borrow a book with short stories in the library, meet with your friends. But get away from that machine!
"2 many views 4 u 2 handle"
Odd, I clicked on the video so I can learn how to not get distracted from the internet. When the video started, I started doing my homework and just had the video as background noise. By the end of the video, I had no idea what you just said. The homework distracted me from watching the video xD
Guys, it's called self-control. Get some.
J-M Lion He's teaching us how to get some
lol
I respectfully disagree. If self-control could not be taught, then the world would be filled with people screaming at the top of our lungs like infants every time they needed something. Children are taught to speak and ask for what they need. They are taught not to hit, to use their words. To control themselves.
That said, people are different, with different brains and backgrounds, strengths and weaknesses. You are fortunate to have a naturally strong focus, but for many of us, focus is a battle. I appreciate people like +Thomas Frank who put forth the time and energy to make videos like these. I've found them incredibly helpful, personally.
God bless.
Steph Reed I hatefully agree with you
Clearly self-control alone is not an effective strategy for dealing with addiction
i have to be frank: i stopped the video to watch cats on catroulette!
greetings from Italy Thomas, you are an inspiring force to me!
A italian med student!