Comments on: How do you limit your time in front of a computer? Apparently, many ways

By: John

John — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:26:52 +0000

I use to be a computer addict before than I started using DigiParent. Its a free program that shuts down the computer when the set amount of time is done. I then started getting in to the habit of not spending more then 1 hour a day on the computer. You can get the program at http://digiparent.weebly.com/.

By: Man

Man — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:29:15 +0000

The whole family spending time on their own computers sounds weird. The above picture looks weird itself. Seems rather anti-social. It’s just people physically together and not talking.

By: Charlie Gilkey | Productive Flourishing

Charlie Gilkey | Productive Flourishing — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:15:40 +0000

Forgot to say: Thanks for a great post with additional ideas to help with getting away from the computer.

By: Charlie Gilkey | Productive Flourishing

Charlie Gilkey | Productive Flourishing — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:12:57 +0000

The main thing I have to do to get away from the computer is to have an activity planned after "work". Otherwise, I keep "working" because I enjoy it, and my creativity, desire to work, and relationships suffer. I really wasn't kidding about Exit Tasks when I wrote about them last week - the challenge for me is remembering that that I need to take a break from "work/play" as much as I need to take a break from "work".

By: Jared Goralnick

Jared Goralnick — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:36:42 +0000

Really glad to hear what’s worked for you, Dan, since you’re the “process guy” in this productivity world. I especially like your explanation for turning it off, suggesting you’re creating an “impediment” in the boot time. Those kinds of barriers are really helpful for getting us to perform certain behaviors…and this is a really important one for many for many of us to observe :-)

By: Dan Markovitz

Dan Markovitz — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:30:15 +0000

A provocative question, Jared. As you might have guessed, I take a pathetically simple approach: I just walk away. (Though I do find that actually turning off the computer helps; boot-up time seems to be an impediment.)

Walking away was difficult at first, because I missed the thrill of some new, exciting email (hopefully), and the pleasure of surfing. But I tried to focus on the *other* stuff I wanted to do (reading, primarily), and found that the joy of getting through my newspapers & magazines outweighed the siren call of the computer.

I’m still not great at it. But I’m getting better. Recently I’ve gone two entire weekends without looking at the computer, and I’ve been pretty good about avoiding it after 8pm or so.

By: Jared Goralnick

Jared Goralnick — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:41:38 +0000

Thanks, Zvi! That’s a really great tip. I’ve found going to places without internet is really helpful..but taking it to paper is an even bigger and better step.

The challenge is just making sure that you don’t spend too much time recreating whatever it is you did sans keyboard. But in most cases the creativity & productivity you’d get away from your computer would totally trump any of the potential redundant time.

By: Zvi Band

Zvi Band — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:33:42 +0000

Hey Jared,
I think one thing I have started doing that has come in handy, especially in regards to limiting time in front of a computer, is planning certain actions that can be accomplished away from a computer. Yes, technically we can do anything on a computer nowadays, but that means we are chained to it 24/7.

For example, whenever I am working on a wireframe for something, an architectural specification, organizing thoughts, etc, I usually prefer to do that on paper, AWAY from a computer. Not only does this tend to be much more relaxing than worrying about the e-mails flying in and IM/Twitter/Facebook, I can concentrate on the task at hand, and find myself to be much more productive.

While I am nowhere near the goal of checking e-mail a few times a day, I believe that properly marking off what tasks ACTUALLY need a computer is an important first step to limiting screen time.

By: Jared Goralnick

Jared Goralnick — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:17:28 +0000

Scott, whether it’s etiquette or productivity you’re right–we ought to stay away from sending too many messages when we’re under the influence.

Communicatrix, very interesting how much easier it was for your friend to read rather than be by the computer. There’s certainly something to be said for the eye strain, but otherwise I’ve found the computer to be easier to stay in front of than a piece of paper. Mostly because of the interactivity and that things are in such short chunks of easy to digest information. To me, reading would be much more relaxing… To each their own, perhaps, but if you can find any method for getting away from these annoying pixels then all power to you :-).

By: the communicatrix

the communicatrix — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:55:43 +0000

Great list, kiddo.

I have nothing much to add to this–my blank-aholic tendencies aggressively assert themselves whenever I apply ass to chair and eyes to screen–but I, too, am looking for hacks to get me away. (Lately, the promise of LOST eps if I power down is working, but I recognize that’s just swapping one screen for another.)

I’m particularly interested in light of what a colleague of mine recently realized re: her own computer time. By accident (she was traveling somewhere with minimal internet access) she discovered that while she’s usually too tired at the end of a day of work to read, when her work was non-computer-related, she was fine to sit down at 6pm and read for TWO HOURS!!!

That alone may be a compelling enough reason to cut down on usage. What I wouldn’t give for more reading time!

Or should I say, what I wouldn’t give *up*?