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33 Comments

What prevents you from being productive?

After reading the book "Atomic habits" (highly recommended), I have realised that the main reason why I am not productive is my bad habits. I just spent too much time on social media (specially youtube).

Does anybody else have the same problem? If so, have you found a solution? If not, what other reasons are stopping you from being productive?

  1. 3

    I think Youtube is my biggest distraction, I probably spend more than 4h on YT, meanwhile I' working.

    1. 1

      Have you ever tried to find a solution for that issue?

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        Yes ofc, But I also know that we humans are designed to be lazy, our brain just wants quick shots of dopamine, it always wants to find the easiest path to get it, watching tv, yt, play games, etc. The best way to fix it, is to remove any kind of entertainment, and force your brain to get dopamine from archieving something programming for example you finished something, it works, your brain will also release dopamine, that way you want to keep archieving useful things. The debate I'm having is I also use YT to learn stuff, but the problem is I end hoping to prank videos or just random stuff.

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          Yeah, exactly. Have you ever tried website blockers or similar? Or you just don't want to use them because that debate you mentioned?

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            Honestly, not yet, but I definitively would if I find something that can help me spend less time. Would be nice if such tool could show educational content and the rest not.

            1. 1

              I think there are some that let you block youtube's recommendation feed. I guess that's something, right?

  2. 2

    I use the following:
    Pomodoro timers - something about the under pressure to get something done in each time block.
    I installed rescuetime too so I have a visual to see where I stray
    I installed a chrome extension like ‘clean YouTube’ that only shows the video I need
    I practice the non-zero days habit.
    I bullet journal my day - there’s something about writing things down that makes it more of a commitment (I review this at the end of the day to see what I’ve achieved)
    When possible I completely schedule my day in my calendar e.g two hours client work, 1 hour side gig, 1 hour gym etc
    I journal too, talk about anything, what’s on my mind, what I want to get done, business plans, solve issues

    1. 1

      This is great! Do you miss something from those apps or you are pretty happy with the setup? In my case, the smarphone is a great discraction too.
      I've also used rescuetime before, but I had the feeling that it was telling something I already knew. Apparently that's not your case, right?
      Regarding youtube, I think a lot of people here have the same opinion: They want to use it but without all these addictive recommendations.

      1. 1

        those apps do the trick. I have a habit app too, use that for my morning and evening routines. But yeah, most things covered.
        RescueTime is more for me to see where I'm getting distracted and then rectify it.
        The YouTube thing does help, a lot of these 'self-help' productivity books always say get off social media - which is great, but that's my job. I can't avoid it, so I try to find tools and tricks to use it but not fall for the rabbit holes.

        For the phone I set up usage timings, so between certain times certain application types won't run - gaming, chat, etc.

  3. 1

    I noticed this problem in myself in 2013 - constantly open Facebook.com and close after 5 seconds. I then built a Chrome Extension to block myself.

    Eventually, I learned that what these successful companies are good at is wasting people's time without them realizing the consequences. Once you see it, there is no going back.

    It's not that hard as you might think. Just switch your seat from being a consumer to a creator, and your productivity is back. Don't just watch hundreds of videos, create dozens of them. Don't just read a lot of blogs, write a few of your own. Don't just use other people's apps, build one. That's why we all got here, IndieHackers, right? Create makes us feel more productive and useful, whatever it is.

  4. 1

    I have a windows computer, and have urls to distracting sites in the hosts file so that I can't view them even when I'm incognito, no matter what browser I'm using. On there are Youtube, Twitch, and porn sites.

    I've tried to turn my desktop into a productivity station, and leave my laptop and phone for other non startup stuff.

    1. 1

      I've also tried this! My problem is that my phone is still a big distraction for me. Do you just blacklist those sites forever or is it something temporary every day?
      Isn't there any app that does that for you in an easier way?

  5. 1

    Does anybody else have the same problem? If so, have you found a solution?
    Yes and Yes :) A simple solution call website blocker. I have it programmed to to block a dozen sites (including IH and email) for 6 hours a day, which is my create/code/write time.

    When it comes to distractions, the best advise I could give is don't try to change yourself change your environment. (i.e. don't say I need to be more discipline or have more self control, etc. just block the distractions)

    1. 1

      Yup, I totally agree on this! From what I'm reading, it really looks like I am the only one that gets distracted by his smartphone :(
      I'm not keen on using website blocker extensions because of its lack of privacy, isn't that an issue for you?

      1. 2

        I suppose it could be, for now the benefits out weigh this for me :)

        The smartphone environment is a bit easier to control. The only notification I have on is text message. That's all. It feels so peaceful this way :)

  6. 1

    I tend to think too much. Honestly, I could sit and think about things for hours. Maybe it is why I enjoy hiking so much? 😊

    And as a solo founder there are SO MANY things to think about!!!

    I was talking to my wife recently about my project and she challenged me to spend less time thinking about it and more time doing it.

    So, I’m trying to develop a checklist of things to do everyday and just focus on getting through the checklist the best I can.

    I’m finding that even 30 minutes here and there can really add up!

    1. 1

      Interesting! Are yo using a simple checklist or a more elaborated app?

      1. 1

        Right now it is just a checklist. And probably not even a very good one but it's a start.

        • Check traffic on Google Analytics, research any interesting activity
        • Check traffic on Word Press, research any interesting activity
        • Check Twitter
        • Go to my site, www.SpaceFrigates.com and join if anybody is playing
        • Reply to a couple of questions on Indie Hackers, post something once in awhile
        • Make sure I have IndieHackers podcast downloaded for in the car
        • Try to spend at least an hour working on the product (New landing page right now)
        • Make at least a quick journal entry on the blog: blog.SpaceFrigates.com

        I don't do everything everyday but it at least keeps me grounded a bit more. Otherwise I just start researching stuff and burn away time thinking about it and not working on the product itself or the blog.

  7. 1

    In the past YouTube and Twitter have been a massive drain on my attention. And in the case of Twitter: on my mental health.

    I woke up early on January 3rd and checked Twitter to see that the US had bombed Iran and the trending topics were: World War III, Iran & #AustralianBushfires – it was at that point, after nearly thirteen years on Twitter, I thought it was time to quit. I get no longer get any value from it, only anxiety and distraction.

    YouTube is more difficult to quit because I still do derive considerable value and joy from it, but I have had to become more cognisant of what I am watching. After watching some dude talk about 1980s Rover engines for 29 minutes I have to stop and think “what am I doing with my life?”.

    Here are a few things have helped me over the last few months:

    1. Trying to reach my daily goals in Todoist
    2. Having a project I am genuinely passionate about
    3. Logging out of my computer an hour before bed and spending that time reading, meditating or relaxing
    1. 1

      The youtube story is literally me xD
      In my case, I tried to limit the time I use it in my smartphone with google's digital wellbeing. But at the end of the day I ended up accessing it via other methods (my laptop, the smarthpone's browser...) :(

  8. 1

    YouTube and Content Overwhelm.
    I spend way too much time learning instead of "doing". Trying to unlearn that but it's hard.

    1. 1

      Yeah, it is hard... Have you tried to find a solution to it? e.g. Website blockers

      1. 1

        That's a great idea but I'm focusing more on building internal excitement for what I'm building so that staying disciplined would be so much easier.
        I used to be like that but I let life happen. Good news is, I'm aware of it and I'm actively doing something about it.
        If I did it once, I can do it again.
        Thanks for the idea.
        Take care. Cheers.

  9. 1

    We are 99% of our own stumbling blocks. I prevent me from being productive, sometimes, not even consciously. Sometimes, having too many options is worse than not having enough. When you don't have enough, it forces creativity; too many equals complacency or, at the very least, 'progress paralysis'.

    1. 1

      Interesting thought! Do you have any recommendation in order to not be in either of those cases?

      1. 1

        I think that consciously trying to be balanced will help...balanced in your dealings, projects, life.

    1. 1

      haha I know. Although I still consider indiehackers a productive tool. Do you use any app to block the website? Or it doesn't reduce your productivity that much?

      1. 2

        Same answer here ^^

  10. 1

    Pomodoro timers have helped me stay productive. As have silly blocking extensions like Block Site for Chrome. But, as a consultant, mostly just having daily revenue goals has helped the most.

    1. 1

      I've tried the pomodoro timers but I think my problem is to have the will power to use them :( Are you still using a blocking extension like Block Site? Do you think it's worth it?

  11. 1

    This comment was deleted 3 months ago.

    1. 1

      Oh cool. I'll have to try this!

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