Help! I'm internet addicted

[bernadette60614]

I'm self-employed, and recently I had a break (not unemployed, just between assignments) and I became a real internet addict.  I found myself spending 2 to 4 hours a day on-line. Now, I have a new assignment and I can't focus!  Help!

[Bob]

Schedule it out.

Wean yourself of it or quit cold turkey.

The internet's not bad necessarily.  If you're getting information on things, for work, ideas to improve yourself, that's good.  Just cut out the stuff that isn't helpful.

[hardy_practice]

I feel your pain.

[theholygideons]

I'm self-employed, and recently I had a break (not unemployed, just between assignments) and I became a real internet addict.  I found myself spending 2 to 4 hours a day on-line. Now, I have a new assignment and I can't focus!  Help!

if you're that old and already have an occupation, then your life must suck bad that you have to rely on the internet to satisfy you. Running a business is hard work, everyone is trying to kick your ass. If you don't see work and long-term progress as being fun, then you're fucked.

[bronnestam]

I mentioned in another thread that there are some nice software resources that can help you. I use one which is called RescueTime, the simple version is freeware. It measures exactly how much time you spend on different activities on your computer (and also your smartphone if you install the free app there as well). You can decide for yourself how to classify a certain activity - what category, and how "productive" or "distracting" it is, and then you can set goals on how much or little time you should spend on these different activities.

Of course you can do all this in an old-fashioned journal as well, but it is quite easy to fool yourself. You might think that you "just checked" Facebook this morning (when you should have worked) and that was ... um, 5 minutes, the most? Well, the application will not lie. If those "five minutes" in fact were 45, it will show ... And if you have the "right" application up in your computer (I am a translator, so for me it means a certain CAT software) it won't help, unless you are not really WORKING actively with it.

Personally, I think this software has helped me a lot lately. I believe there are other software than this one out there - of course there is, as this problem is very common today! - but this is the one I have tried myself and it works for me.

[bronnestam]

if you're that old and already have an occupation, then your life must suck bad that you have to rely on the internet to satisfy you. Running a business is hard work, everyone is trying to kick your ass. If you don't see work and long-term progress as being fun, then you're fucked.

Please stop judging, will you? That is rude and unfair.

[theholygideons]

Please stop judging, will you? That is rude and unfair.

it's a reality check, how else is he meant to get off the internet. It's like eating chocolate when you're trying to lose weight.

[cwjalex]

i think it would have been funny if nobody responded to this thread.

[thalbergmad]

Surely there must be some online resources that can assist.

Thal