I have a problem with trying to keep to schedules. This problem stems from the fact that I have the attention span of a particularly hyperactive hummingbird.
I’ll start writing something and then, five minutes later, I’ve moved onto checking on my webcomics. Or looking through Facebook. Or refreshing my email.
As you may have noticed, a lot of these distractions are all on the Internet. Clearly, the Internet is a source of pure, undiluted evil: hellbent on keeping me from getting anything done.
I’ve tried a wide variety solutions to this problem. I’ve turned off my wifi (back on a few seconds later). I’ve tried working in different environments (doesn’t help if there’s still internet). I’ve tried just plain, old fashioned willpower (I don’t have any).
But now I’ve found something that actually seems to be helping. It’s called Freedom and it’s a program that kills the internet. Not all internet everywhere, that would be a bit extreme, but the internet on my computer. I set a time, my internet goes down, once the time is up, my internet comes back on.
If I tried to ctrl-alt-delete Freedom, my internet is still off. The only way to undo the block is to restart, which is almost more trouble than it’s worth. Which is what they’re counting on, I assume.
I wrote the last entry under the brutal regime of Freedom and I got it done in record time. This blog entry is also being written sans-internet.
And it is strangely freeing. I don’t feel the need to check any of the dozen websites I usually do. I’m just writing and focusing on what I’m writing. Getting shit done.
And that’s a nice feeling.
After my free trial is up, I think I’m going to actually get this program. If only so I’ll stop playing those damn Facebook games so much.
Dylan Charles
