Guess what? The internet is great for increasing productivity and efficiency.But let’s face it, the internet is also great at wasting your time and an efficient source of distraction too. Probably more than you think. Whether you realize it or not, you probably have a set routine when you open up your browser. For me, once the browser loads, I check my e-mail, facebook, craigslist, digg, woot, thesimpledollar, and then if I remember what it was I signed on to check, that. And if you have Stumbleupon, that may never happen.
Frankly, I’m fed up with being so inefficient online. So I’ve devised a simple plan to get back on track, and then maybe check my daily haunts after the specified tasks have been completed. Before you open your browser do this instead:
- Create a list of what site you must go to, in order of most important to least.
- Sub-list what you must do at that site
- If you get an idea of something else to check while online, write that down and visit it later.
- Once you’ve finished your list, roam free or just sign off.
This is an easy, effective and offline way to keep your internet browsing intact, on-track and hopefully a more efficient experience.
I’d also add, that if your computer automatically signs on to a messaging program (AIM, MSN…) that you uncheck the option to sign on when you start the computer, and instead sign on when you are done when you have completed your list for the browser. The key here is to minimize outside distractions while online.
