matt comments on Share Your Anti-Akrasia Tricks - Less Wrong

20 Post author: Vladimir_Golovin 15 May 2009 07:06PM

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Comment author: Emily 16 May 2009 08:08:20AM 12 points [-]

Really really simple procrastination trick that works wonders for me: don't just minimise the browser when trying to work, close it. If I need to use it for something work-related, one tab only and close it again immediately afterwards. The trick here, I think, is that flipping to the browser window is an automatic reaction when I get stuck on my work. If my mouse goes to the taskbar and it isn't there, the extra moment required to think: "Oh, I'll have to relaunch it" is just about enough to override the automatic reaction with: "No, I'm working".

Comment author: matt 18 May 2009 11:51:55PM 3 points [-]

And generally, reduce the availability of distractions. If you notice something attractive that you could be doing instead of what you think you should be doing, you'll need to spend willpower to suppress doing it.