In the past two weeks, I have done a huge amount to increase my productivity and manage my 'habit'. I have tripled my RescueTime (YC W07) productivity score in a matter of days, here's how I did it:<p>* LeechBlock for Firefox. There's always ways "around" these blocks, but it's more of a matter of disincentivizing the bad behavior, not disabling it.<p>* Use a feed reeder, <i>keep it off</i>.<p>* Working in an office. I've been telecommute contractor for 6 months now. I recently started working onsite for a company, and it's done wonders.<p>* Watching the "Productivity for Programmers" screencast at PeepCode. I am very anti-self-help, but this screencast has a lot of very helpful, practical advice rooted in common sense and backed by science.<p>Most of the advice my wife had been trying to tell me for months, but it took Lars Pind's explanation to really crack through my thick skull. It's not even about going through "the motions" of setting goals and all that. It's more about being able to ask your self - "what am I doing? Is this really productive?" - and being able to know when you're being genuine and when your brain is lying to yourself.
He needs to read with a purpose, as in pick out a goal with some sort of metric (eg learn rails) and work towards it. Time will pass anyway, you might as well have something to show for it.
I like the way pg often uses a computer without internet. In fact, after posting this comment, I'm going to shut down this computer's net access for a bit so I can focus.
I enjoy HP's service for this reason. It's a joy reading my online content while riding public transit and I find I can keep my focus and delve as deep as I need to. Sure they are just trying to sell more ink cartridges, ($1500 a gallon- I would too) but in doing so they are giving us a worthwhile tool/service. Here is the link-
<a href="http://www.tabbloid.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.tabbloid.com/</a>
I know it's screwing up my productivity. I've noticed that when I'm stuck in someplace with no internet, like while riding in a car, I'm much more productive.<p>Also I second the recommendation for LeechBlock, it's a really great firefox addon.