Recently I’ve been making a point of waking at 6am each morning.
I’ve found the hours between six and nine to be my most productive. In that simple three hour gap I seem to be able to accomplish so much more than I can, for example, between 9-12, or even between six and nine in the evening.
I never used to be a morning person, but this year, after some dedication to change my ways (I was a 3am junkie, after all), I’ve found my perfect working period.
I struggled with online distractions for a long time. I’ll confess today I woke at 6.30 and I’m writing this at 7am, after a full half-hour of distraction. The latest culprit is Google+, but it would be unfair to single out each website and dancing cat video individually.
I believe I wouldn’t have even started writing this until eight, maybe even 9am if it wasn’t for the elimination principles Tim Ferriss taught through his book (you know the one), over a year ago. I take them for granted now of course, but just in case you don’t, here is my unique take on them:
- I never check social networks, news websites, or email first thing in the morning. Okay, never is a strong word. Sometimes I’ll take a peak at Twitter or G+ on my phone while my netbook loads up. No harm done.
- I eliminated 80-90% of the emails I was receiving on a weekly basis. I unsubscribed from all the company newsletters I could find (and continue to do so, when they come through over a year later), as well as from blog subscriptions. I moved all subscriptions I wanted to stay a part of, but not see in my inbox on a daily basis, to a separate email account that I check about once a week. Talking of email…
- I’ve removed the new mail icon from my browser. I implemented this over a year ago, and my concentration has thanked me for it ever since. I also turned off all email notifications on my phone, which leads me on to…
- I’ve turned off all notifications (save text messages, phone calls, and calendar events) on my iPhone. I have to open each application manually to check my emails, send a tweet or look into the progress of my newest blog post.
- I don’t answer unrecognised numbers. This is a point I couldn’t decide either way on for a long time. Although the majority of the time the call is going to be a telemarketer or ‘somebody from the council’ by ignoring every unrecognised number I do run the risk of ignoring what could turn out to be an amazing opportunity.
I decided my time is more important that somebody else’s. If somebody really wants to get hold of me my contact details are all over the internet, if you know where to look. By answering an unrecognised number while I’m in the middle of working I may as well be saying that I value this strangers time (a stranger who, remember, is probably trying to sell me something) over my own. And that, I do not. - BONUS SIXTH TIP: I limit the number of open tabs in my browser. I installed this Google Chrome extension upon the recommendation of a reader named Martin in the comments below. I’ve only been using it a day, but I truly believe it may just save my life.
Elimination is the key to increasing productivity. Eliminate everything of insignificance (or at least, of not immediate importance) from your head, browser, and phone; and get things done.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Good points. I’m not nearly there with this one but I’ve recently realised keeping tabs open on my browser for Twitter and Google+ is a bad, bad idea. Keeping browser tabs open only for “static pages” and not for social sites and quitting out of a mail application, are really good things for minimizing distractions and you’ll get a lot more done this way.
Tabbed browsing will kill us all, I swear. Recently I’ve experimented with only having one tab open at a time, but to be honest, despite how nice and relaxed it makes you feel, I find it too impractical for work.
still loving these articles Ben, keep em coming
Cheers Sanjay, I appreciate your eyes!
Tabbed browsing is how I keep track of what to read next! Are you kidding? And as for phone calls … If it’s important, they’ll leave a message!
Thanks, Benjamin!
-M
Totally agree on the phone calls! Tabs tire me out, but they are incredibly useful.
Good tips, Benjamin. I don’t answer the phone either if I’m in the middle of something, even if I do recognize the number. Unless it’s an important call that I’m expecting. Same with text messages. If I hear my phone beep and I’m in the middle of something, I resist the urge to check it right away. Often I’ll have it on silent so I won’t even be aware of any incoming calls or messages while I’m working.
If I ever call you and you don’t pick up I’ll take the hint (whilst swearing under my breath). ;)
I remember when I first started using Instagram I’d be getting phone notifications every half hour. I couldn’t have been happier when I eventually found the ‘disable all’ option. Nobody needs to have that level of connection.
There are also plenty of Chrome extensions to help on this front. Here’s one that limits your open tabs to a number of your choosing : https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/kokmfemecmlekdnjllgobeplngdfifie
Martin, I love this extension. I’ve been using it all day. After the initial swearing at the screen and boosting the open tabs limit (I’ll decrease them again in time) I’ve started to wire myself to it.
Thanks so much. I’m going to update the post with the link so everybody can check it out.
OMG, #6 is totally my downfall right now!!! I follow all the other rules, I minimized my life and moved from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires, but my physical clutter has transformed into browser tab clutter… as I type, I’m ashamed to admit that I have… 33 tabs on this window, 26 on a second and 18 on the third.
77 tabs!!!!! The insanity!
I just opened a new tab for that Chrome extension. Ha!
Will give it a test run today. THANK YOU.
Of course, what I REALLY need to do is work more on my underlying issues that cause me to shift between various forms of clutter, which are simply emotional/physical/mental barriers to facing my fears of creating and doing work. ;)