Whenever I work on an aversive task that doesn’t require email, I enable my favorite distraction blocker: Freedom. (I’m not sponsored by them, I’m just a fan of the app. I’m also probably a bad businessperson.)
Freedom is a simple app. It’s available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chromebook, and Linux—and costs a few bucks a month (or you can pay more and have free access to it for forever). When you enable the blocker, you choose how long you want to focus for:
And at the same time, you can also choose which websites (and apps) you want to be blocked from accessing during the session. Freedom also supports custom blocklists, allowing you to get granular with your settings if you want. For example, if I want to do a stimulation fast for a day, that’s an option.
Freedom is a simple app, but it will absolutely make you more focused and productive. Even after writing a book on focus and studying the topic for some time, my impulsiveness can get in the way of getting stuff done. If you tend to get distracted by things like email, social media, or the news while resisting getting things done, I recommend giving the app a shot. I think you’ll love it.
Resisting distractions is a chore in the moment—but you truly do feel a sense of freedom when you cut off access to them in the first place.
