My computer is like a black hole.
Between working on my blog, checking and responding to email, chatting on twitter, and finding out "important" news from my friends' lives on facebook, hours can go by far too easily.
So, to manage time online, I have only one real tip that works for me: turn off the computer!
On days that my computer stays on, I am terrible about sitting down to "quick" check something or "send one email" which turns into 50 other things. True confession: at one point my time management was getting terrible and my son would stand next to me and pull at my arm trying to get me to get away from the computer. That is bad.
So, what I try to do (and not everyday goes this well) is to get my first round of blog/twitter/email tasks done in the morning either before the kids are up or during the one TV show they are allowed to watch after breakfast. And then: the computer turns off. When I think of "quick things" I forgot to do I write them down. Inevitably, if it is something I truly have to do in the morning, I never do just that one thing... the time grows. So, I try very hard to keep it off until they are upstairs for their nap/rest time in the afternoon.
It's not profound, but for some reason it also isn't simple! Turn that computer off, girls!
It has been a pleasure writing for Today's Housewife for the last few months. Thank you for having me, and I hope you'll come visit me at my blog often! :)
-Kristi
Image from freefoto.com
Great tip! It IS much too easy to sit down for "just a minute" and let that minute turn into an hour or more.
ReplyDeleteSuch great advice! It's so easy to sit down for a second and the next thing you know it's been an hour! Thanks for blessing us with all your posts over the last couple months!
ReplyDeleteI'm guilty of this too! I really do need to start turning it off and hiding it. Ha! Our laptop sits in our living room, the room we're in 95% of the day, so it's always a temptation to "quickly" check this or that. I've been so frustrated with myself lately because I know I'm on it too much.
ReplyDeleteI am EXACTLY the same way. I get so irritated at myself for the days that I don't turn it off. I lose so much of the day!
ReplyDeleteHallee
Sometimes I forget that the computer is supposed to be a help, make life quicker, easier, a modern convenience....now that's a loaded word...what a great way to keep it convenient...turn it off!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! I must admit that I've become addicted to my computer and it can steal away a lot of my time. I will most definitely be using this tip! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip. And you're right...sometimes it really is the only thing that works!
ReplyDeleteOh, so true! I should really turn mine off right now. I sat down for a quick check of work emails and look at me surfing the WFMW links... Naughty Mommy. Discipline can be so difficult to keep.
ReplyDeleteOh man, I am so guilty of this too...turn it off is such simple, yet sage advice.
ReplyDelete:)