What are you doing reading this post? Get back to work! Just kidding. I don't know about you, but I'm always tempted to do a little more reading, a little more research, get a little more information. On the Internet, those activities are way too easy. I look up and discover that an hour has passed, not ten minutes.
An effective way to rein yourself in is to pick an amount of time you're willing to let yourself spend on the activity. This is for goofing off activities as well as work-related ones. First, I clarify what the end result I want is; feeling more relaxed, getting a particular task done, deciding on a specific thing to buy.
Then I choose an amount of time based on how much time it's worth (should I spend 3 hours surfing for the best deal on jump drive?) and how much time I have available, given all the other things that need to get done. Then I either watch the clock, or, better yet, set a timer. When it rings, I start working or I make my decision.
In a world of infinite choice and finite time, you have to set your own limits. The amount of time you choose will be sort of random because there are too many variables you can't account for. Don't worry about that. Just experiment. The right answer is the one that works for you.
Comment Preview