How to Stop Yourself Slacking at Work!
June 7th, 2006
Technorati Tags: Freeware, PC hacks
During the 1st week when I had to sit down and write up my report, I seriously had alot of trouble trying not to surf the web, watch funny videos and read other blogs (i.e. basically slacking) but thanks to 2 nifty free applications, I managed to reduce my time spent on these unnecessary things and focussed alot more on my project. So, without wasting any more words, let me introduce them to you:
1. Temptation Blocker
Temptation Blocker does what its name suggests - it blocks you from accessing the programs that you normally do when you’re slacking. You can specify which programs to block and how long you want them blocked (in hours and minutes). For example, for myself it would be the web browsers. Initially, I’ve only blocked Opera since I used that most of the time but due to my net addiction, I started using Firefox, which I had to block again and then, I even resorted to using Internet Explorer! Took me days to get disciplined to do my work but Tempation Blocker really helped me alot - I might have cured my net addiction as well…lol!
Also, in the event you need to use the program that you’ve blocked, you’ll need to enter a long 32-letter randomly generated string which will then disable the block. So go download it if you have some problems disciplining yourself while doing work on the computer!
TimeSnapper is a tool which takes screenshots in the time intervals that you suggest and it’ll create a timeline of what you’ve been doing for the past hour, day, week or month! I find it really useful in the sense that I know which program I’ve been spending most of my time so I can change my schedule or decide if I’m spending too much time on a single thing.
So that’s it, 2 really useful piece of freeware which can help you in your work! It did for mine =)
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28 comments on “How to Stop Yourself Slacking at Work!”
01
Sweet. I could really use this. I don’t download it though because I like slacking a bit too much. Maybe next week
02
what’s the root cause, though?
need a new job?
need to at least start by updating the resume?
do you lack enthusiasm, such that sooner or later you’re going to be canned?
have you stagnated where you are and need to be looking?
03
As a slacker and procrastinator, I thank you.
04
Thanks for the write up on these 2 apps. They’re definitely something I could use. The only problem for me is that most of the work I do is done VIA the browser, in fact probably 80% of it. I guess I could block break/digg.com from the router, but I know the password as well and no one else is around to moderate me. Blast! Anyways great post.
05
People still use windows for productive things? Ouch.
06
:) I could probably use this one. I’m definitely a slacker and a slob all rolled up in one. Not a good combination for productivity, let me tell you…
07
thanks for reading guys =)
08
[…] stop procrastinating […]
09
Do not forward this article to your employees . . . it will piss us off and we will bite you. Thanks.
10
hihihi
11
Check out this greasmonkey script to help block websites you spend too much time on!
http://lifehacker.com/software/greasemonkey/invisibility-cloak-update-149252.php
12
Having a computer screen face open to the rest of the team and with a manager behind my back has worked cheaply for me.
13
[…] How to Stop Yourself Slacking at Work! No, not me! (tags: work productivity) Tags: […]
14
These are great, I just wish there was a temptation blocker firefox plugin that would let you use certain websites all the time but certain websites only after x-hours.
15
“t’ll create a timeline of what you’ve been doing for the past hour, day, week or month”
is there a program that tells you how many hours you have used each program? Maybe it could work by looking at what your current window is every 5 seconds….
16
don’t think so tony, setting timesnapper at 5s would fill your computer with lotsa files!
17
[…] How to Stop Yourself Slacking at Work! » techgurls!!! (tags: lifehacks) […]
18
wow moemoe, what a great site and interesting blog.
i’m (co)creator of timesnapper and found ya in my referrer logs. thank you very much for the mention!
“is there a program that tells you how many hours you have used each program? Maybe it could work by looking at what your current window is every 5 seconds”
this is a feature we’re putting into timesnapper 2.0 — and it can keep this info even if the related snapshots have been deleted. There will be graphs etc (not yet though…) We’re dedicated to killing the beast of procrastination, one feature at a time.
meanwhile, there’s some very interesting dilbert cartoons i have to go read…
19
hi lb, no problems, keep us updated on your project, we all love timesnapper =)
20
i really like the one which snaps what you are doing and later in the day just review what crap you have done whole day …
:)
21
ha, guess most of the time we just do crap on our computer…lol
22
man, I love Temptation Blocker, but it’s not supported and won’t work on the latest version of Windows (XP 2002) that we use at work. I miss the blocks of no-distraction time!!
23
Pretty much likes these softwares… if u have some more pls mail me.. dont forget to update me new software you found.. thank you..
24
Slacking is good. Time goes faster at work
25
[…] 从techgurls.blorc.com看到两个可以帮助你专心工作的免费软件： […]
26
Temptation Blocker and TimeSnapper sound like great utilities that will help people stop slacking at work. I wonder if these two programs would help the Brits? Let me explain. According to a recent study, it have been determined that 1 out of every 6 Brits drink while on the job. Talk about the need for TimeSnapper and especially Temptation Blocker!
DenMan7
27
Tnx. This is realy great post.
Only one programm is not enough - to block sites leading to slacking.
28
(i didn’t like the script above)
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