What's standing in your way as a seller?

DenisP Level 1

October 19, 2020, 12:54 am

5

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I’d probably say that social media is my worst distraction as a freelancer. I’ve never been all that active on sites like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, but I’m an absolute sucker for content on Reddit and YouTube.

I do freelance writing for a living, and any time I’m between ideas while writing, I find myself habitually turning to Reddit and YouTube. It’s been a hard habit to kick because sometimes I don’t even catch myself getting distracted, almost like I’m on autopilot.

I need find some sort of Chrome extensions that bar me from those sites for a couple of hours.

I think that our brains have become wired to check social media when we’re bored, simply because it’s a guaranteed moment of satisfaction. I’ve actually read studies on how social media was created in a way that you get a kick of dopamine—the hormone that makes you feel good—every time you visit, so that you get addicted and keep coming back.

It’s just another form of instant gratification, and while there are obviously worse ways to get a dopamine kick (drugs, alcohol, etc…), social media can still be super distracting none the less.

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mark8625

mark8625

I agree with you on that. It is indeed one of the best distraction for me also. I could not let myself using my phone while working specially when I get bored in my job.

8 years ago

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DenisP

DenisP

I think that our brains have become wired to check social media when we’re bored, simply because it’s a guaranteed moment of satisfaction. I’ve actually read studies on how social media was created in a way that you get a kick of dopamine—the hormone that makes you feel good—every time you visit, so that you get addicted and keep coming back.

It’s just another form of instant gratification, and while there are obviously worse ways to get a dopamine kick (drugs, alcohol, etc…), social media can still be super distracting none the less.

8 years ago

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rlpzbeermoney

rlpzbeermoney

I'm in the same boat as you. Reddit and Youtube are productivity killers. Your body wants to watch videos but you have to be doing other things. I installed an extension called Web Nanny to help block those sites and it has helped so far.

8 years ago

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DenisP

DenisP

I’ll definitely have to look into this extension as well, because like you said, those two sites are my number one productivity killers.

The biggest problem is that there is so much creative, entertaining, or educational content on both sites, that you can’t help but not spend a bunch of time on them. Particularly with stuff like tutorials or documentaries, I’m always inclined to watch them for hours on end because my mind probably thinks “well I’m learning and having fun, so this must be a good thing!”

Meanwhile I have a bunch of projects open on my computer waiting to be finished.

8 years ago

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rlpzbeermoney

rlpzbeermoney

The problem with killing procrastination in my opinion is that despite wasting time, we finish our work regardless. And I think since we finished the job, it sends a good job signal to our brain. The brain interprets it as it's okay to procrastinate. Added bonus of finishing it in less time than if you didn't procrastinate. It turns into an endless loop.

8 years ago

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