If you are like me, you probably waste a lot of time at work browsing the web and doing anything other then actual work. And then you lose track of how much time have wasted procrastinating and how long have you actually worked.
Here is a solution that works for me. It’s a free application called Instant Boss.
The idea behind it is simple. You set up how long you want to work before taking a short break, and how long is the break supposed to be. Then you set up how many times this work-break cycle should run.
Once you make the settings and run it, it will start your work time. After the work time is over it will remind you to take a break by popping up a window like this:
Now you can do whatever you want, browse the web, have coffee, anything that makes you relaxed. As soon as your break time is over it will remind you to get back to work:
And then you get back to work.
Pretty simple, eh?
I have been using this at my work for a few days and found it excellent. Now I can divide my day into slots of work and breaks and meet my targets. Before that it was all very random.
It takes a while to figure out optimum work and break periods. What works for me is 40 minutes work and 20 minutes break. That way I can get most things done and have my daily dose of web browsing all in a day’s work.
Amazing. How much it helped you not to get distracted?
Isnt that a bit too controlling?
Adnan: It helped a lot in focussing on my work because I knew I have to do as much work as possible in 40 minutes before taking the 20 mins break. Kind of like rewarding myself for the work completed.
Jalal: Perhaps it is, but I need a bit controlling to do things.