How to ACTUALLY Stop Wasting Time on the Internet

It's so easy to procrastinate on your work when the distractions of the internet are only a click away.

In this video, I'll show you some tools and practices you can use to finally overcome those online temptations.

Got work to do? Don't read the rest of this description - just go get it done.

Tools:

Do the thing.

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If you're on a break...

My book "10 Steps to Earning Awesome Grades" is completely free, so check it out if you're interested in improving your grades!

If you want to get even more strategies and tips on becoming a more productive, successful student, subscribe to my channel right here:

~ created by Thomas Frank

[Thomasfrank]

A lot of people are asking about options for mobile phones; while there definitely are some, I think your phone is easier to deal with than a computer. You probably need your computer for studying and work - you almost never need your phone for those purposes. So simply shutting it off during your work sessions is an effective strategy ;)

That being said, if you feel the need to use an app instead, here are your options:

Android - Cold Turkey
iOS - Freedom (ironically not free), though I've heard that it's not 100% effective because of the way iOS is designed. An alternative is Forest, which encourages you not to use your phone rather than straight-up blocking content.

[DennyVlogs]

I came here whilst wasting time on the internet...

[natasharose]

How did you know I'm procrastinating by watching this video 😅😭

[czechmex]

I saw this in my feed when I needed it most.

[DrogoBaggins]

Just had a long weekend with plenty of time to get caught up on my assignments that were due today and I blew the entire weekend mostly watching videos. I'm hopeless.

[fynworld]

You have no idea how effectively the Pomodoro technique helped me out, thanks to your video.
I've been trying man, for ages, to be constant and effective while working on a PC (9 hours a day) and nothing worked.
This was like a charm, so seriously, thank you.

I'd like to give back so I'll add Spanish subtitles to your video today.
Edit: sent for revision already!

[saiganesh]

1.How not to get distracted. (until 4:30)
2. What to do to disengage from distraction (4:30 - 5:40)
3. Goal: To Build Attention Muscle with help from Tools. (after 5:40)
Ultimate goal is to reach a stronger brain where u no longer need tools.
Thanks Thomas!

[TheWelchProductions]

That moment you realize your homework requires YouTube.

[melissanichole]

Six years later and this is still great advice. And yes, I am definitely supposed to be working right now.

[TopJoo]

For Thomas Frank videos, I will make the exception. So please, go ahead and waste my time.

[Mikaz]

Okey well what happens if the wall becomes too interesting, and you start making stories in your head and all...

[ericc]

THERE'S AN ONLINE POKEMON TRADING CARD GAME????

[draftingsavant]

another thing I love about you and it's something that people sort of stray away from but when you read a lot you realize this and that is at the end of the video you give us the option you realize that no one really has to subscribe to you and intelligent people just realized that we can bounce ideas off of each other and in a sense we "use"each other

[Maybwu]

But I wanna know so many things. I research something all the time. That's actually the "worst" thing about the internet for me.

[pamelafuentealbanunez]

Hi Thomas. I just wanted to tell you that your book has helped me A LOT. Proudly I watched this video on a break, and not procrastinating. So I just wanted to say from my heart thank you very much!

[JamiClaytn]

I wish Cold Turkey was available to help me stop eating.

[AntiFaGoat]

One of the easiest things I've been doing lately is whenever I have a half hour or more that I don't have to be on a computer and/or use my phone, I just turn it off. Saves energy for my devices and having to push that button is another "think about this carefully" moment.

[bethanyangelstar]

I actually got some help from this for working at home. I have ADHD, and it's incredible how much I get distracted online. I research, I watch YouTube, I use FaceBook, and I use Tumblr. Sometimes, it's for work, but I have to do the actual work on the same computer. So, this really helps me! :)

[wge]

just wanted to say that I really like your overall vibe. there are many self help gurus out there, but many have this certain level of smugness that comes across and is really off-putting. you don't have that and I appreciate the info! nothing new but always helps to be reminded :) another tip is journaling. it ties into the law of attraction and the self-fulfilling prophecy. the more you focus on what you want in life, the more your brain will be primed into seeking that goal and actually taking steps to achieve it

[fantasytadoku]

I've been watching some of your videos and applying some of the techniques, and I want to say thanks for helping me refocus my studies. I'm not a student, but I'm living in Japan long term and have been feeling demotivated recently about Japanese. Your tips are really practical and effective. (And yes, I watched this on my "break" so I did click the subscribe button!) Ok, back to studying!