Like so many writers, I am easily distracted by the internet. I'll be writing away when I hit some kind of problem, and instead of sitting with the discomfort of the problem I shoot off and check my email, my facebook, my twitter account. Instead of wrestling with the difficult problem, I run off to find easy, mundane problems to solve.
Of course, this doesn't work when you're job is to solve those difficult problems.
That's why when I need to be particularly productive I use a program called Self-Control, which blocks those pernicious distractors. I'm always amazed at how much more work I can get done without those distractions, how much more relaxed I feel doing it.
By limiting options, something surprising happens. I actually work.
Photo by Mark Robinson
Minimalism and Rest
This is what the minimalist movement is all about: limit the amount of things you own, limit the amount of projects you work on, limit the amount of relationships in your life, and you will live a fuller, happier, less stressful life.
Intentional Rest is the same way. Intentional Rest is about getting rid of all the clutter and distractions that keep you from resting.
Six days of the week, I write. I use my computer. I allow myself to be distracted by the work of life.
But one day a week, I don't. I turn off. I say no. By limiting my options, by focusing solely on rest, something surprising happens. I actually rest.
http://goo.gl/rhI0O
This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear (read) at this very moment… except that I was keeping myself distracted from my writing when I came across this article. Thanks again for another powerful reminder.
As a freelancer who is finally settling down to an alone-at-home routine, the idea of only working 6 days a week is ideal… I’m going to print this out and stick it on my board.
Awesome, ninja! Distraction is the opiate of the freelance masses.
Joe, you are so right. I agree
That’s a great program! Any word if there’s a Windows program that’s similar?
Try Cold Turkey.
It can be so liberating sometimes.
Good plan – never good at planning
I guess I am not the only one with this problem. I need to unplug the internet (and TV)… right now…. and get some writing done. Thanks!!
Mmm interesting idea you moot here…’turn off’, as in completely? One whole day a week? Are you a renegade Joe? Geez! 🙂
I have a day ‘off’ a week but by that I mean a day off being a parent. The boys go to their dad’s. I get to kick off my parent clothes. Don a pair of jeans, listen to rock & roll and boogie around the house, cruise the market, see a movie, you know as in, do what I want? But not turn on my computer you say? Sacrilege! Blashemy! If I’m in my house for the day, I have to check in on the world out there.
As it is at present, I go away every 6 weeks (to visit my parents). Then I choose not to take my computer, not to remember my cell phone recharger. I disengage entirely. Got another one coming up in a week’s time actually and this time I get a whole 3 days! Whoop! I really look forward to disconnecting entirely.
But once a week, woa man, I don’t think I could do it…..
I hear you. It depends on what inputs and influences you want shaping your day of rest. The internet is the most stimulating information source ever invented. It’s full of amazing, fascinating, and wonderful things. I LOVE the internet. But it’s not restful. It wasn’t made to be restful.
Instead of the internet, why not read? Yesterday, I listened to a book on tape all day. It was so relaxing.
Limiting options increases depth of focus. It reveals priorities. I like how the Orthodox Jews do it. On your day of rest, you have 3 options: you can hang out with people, hang out with God, and eat a ton of food. If you had to limit your day of rest to three options, would social media be on that list? If so, then keep it.
Very timely and needful in my case. Man, do I identify with the trying to get my e-mail inbox to zero! It’s like compulsive, and it’s the flipside of my subscribing to every e-newsletter that rings a bell with me….
Boy Joe!
Do I ever need a break from the computer! I think I’m addicted! Thanks for the reminder!
Me too, Sheila!
It’s 10:30pm. I’m in my pajamas with my contacts out and my teeth brushed and I’ve turned on the internet for the first time all day to send one email before I went to bed. It felt good. Until I remembered I hadn’t read blogs today… They will still be there tomorrow. It’s this writer’s bedtime.
Katie
Joe, hello!
Lately on Facebook, I said “The noise on the Internet gets even louder. You have to choose what to listen to wisely,lest you will be overwhelmed.” We really need to limit our options.
This post also reminds me of Sabbath. We are not machines. We need to rest. Heck, even machines need to rest. How much more beings made of flesh.
So true, Anthony. I love that.
Thanks Joe. I’m encouraged! I love this blog.
“limit the amount of relationships in your life” I guess this depends on the type of relationships you’re having. I know people who really have a huge circle of friends but they seem to never get distracted by them.
I think there’s a difference between popularity and deep relationship. I have a lot of friends, but I only have 10 or so that are influential in my life at any one time. It’s actually scientifically proven that humans can only have about 150 stable relationships:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar's_number
If you want to have the best relationships possible, you have to pick wisely.
150 stable relationships, that still seems a lot!
Time to start keeping count then. ha ha.
Thanks Anthony. Me too 🙂
I think this could be helpful- i have problems with balancing work and rest, but i think you should a bit more detail. Or maybe someone could add a comment and explain how exactly you do this?
Hi chingyeh96. Thanks for commenting. This is part of a long series on rest that I did. You can find out more about it here:
https://thewritepractice.com/real-writers-rest/
It’s hard to sum up sabbath, but essentially you stop so that you can understand that life, in its essence, is good. I usually turn off my computer and don’t write anything, but your sabbath might look different.