How to beat procrastination: 9 useful tools

1. StayFocusd

A simple extension that lets you customize which websites you can visit and which you can't. Block VKontakte, YouTube and Facebook, and they will not distract you from your work.

If desired, restrictions can be removed on certain days, for example, on weekends. Or set up exceptions for non-business hours.

2. LeechBlock

Another blocker of distracting sites. Its advantage is the ability to create entire lists of prohibited addresses, between which you can switch depending on your needs.

For example, at work you do not want to go to social networks, but at home, on the contrary, you want relax from business news. Create two profiles and configure them so that one works from 9:00 to 17:00, and the other turns on in the evening. The extension can be password protected.

3. Mindful Browsing

Social networks so easily grab our attention, because we open them automatically: once - and the desired bookmark is selected. Mindful Browser will make your Internet browsing more conscious.

Whenever you visit an entertainment site, the application will show you a stub with peaceful landscape and ask if you really want to spend time on it or if you have more useful affairs. This helps to make surfing more responsive.

4. Post Box

Official Appendix from googledesigned to relieve you of smartphone addiction. Most often, Android distracts us from work with its notifications that come at the most inopportune moment. Post Box turns off smartphone sounds and collects all notifications that come to you during the day. When you're done with your work, you can watch them all in bulk.

5. SelfControl

A macOS app that's easy to manage but useful. You populate the blacklist with sites you don't want to visit and start a timer. While the countdown is going on, you will not see social networks and video services. Even if you uninstall the app or restart your device, the lock will remain until the specified time has elapsed. What pleases - among other similar programs for Mac, this is absolutely free.

Download SelfControl →

6. TomatoTimer

Service for work on Pomodoro technique. You set a timer for 25 minutes and work with concentration during this time, without any distractions. Then rest for 5 minutes. After four such cycles, a 20-minute break. There are a huge number of timers for this technique. The good thing about TomatoTimer is that it works without installation, right in the browser.

TomatoTimer →

7. Digital wellbeing

A free program from Google that evaluates what apps and how often you use on your Android. The most violent time eaters can be limited or removed. Digital Wellbeing also helps you sleep better by turning off notifications and setting the screen to black and white. A number of smartphones have this application built-in, on others it can be simply installed.

8. Screen time

The same, but for macOS and iOS users. Specify in "Screen time»Which programs you want to restrict and set a timer. When the time allotted for this or that application is over, macOS will prevent it from starting until the next day.

9. Focusing attention

So far, Windows has nothing quite like Screen Time like macOS. But at least you can make sure you don't get annoyed by inappropriate notifications. To do this, click "Start" → "Settings" → "System" → "Focus" and indicate what time you work. During this period, the system will be put into Do Not Disturb mode.