A tip for NOT screwing off to much on the internet...

So I was thinking today about how much time I waste on the internet.

And really, I think I do fairly well. 

When there is serious work to be done I hold off from reading pointless stuff.

But like most everyone, It's not that hard to get distracted and then notice an hour has gone by with nothing to show for it.

I bet I spend at least an hour per day though looking at stupid videos, whining forum posts, Digg.com, reddit.com, blogs, etc, etc.

So I just made a file called TODO.html 

Here I have listed all the projects I am working on with bullet points on what needs to be done.

When I finish one, I'll delete it, so I can stay on track.

Starting today, instead of having "google.com" as my home page on firefox, I'll be using my TODO.html.

Everytime I think about screwing off, I'll be faced with what I SHOULD be doing.

Also might try some online solutions like: http://www.tadalist.com/

But I like the idea of having it on my local drive where it loads instantaneously, can be edited quickly, and I can choose the design layout (simple as hell with no links or clutter).

Anyways, random Monday morning thought!

You can download this simple template here:

Download TODO.html

Comments

[emeka]

saaaweet, thanks. here's one for distraction free writing (mac only):
http://hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom

[Richard]

Hi Trey.
Do a search for "GTD" (getting things done). Or you can read a pretty rad intro to this system over at Merlin Mann's 43folders.com.

This is an action management system that has changed my life and work. As an internet marketer... I can't live without it now.

Anyways...
You've probably heard of it -- but if you haven't checked it out, it's worth a look.

Have a great day!
-Richard

[peter murphy]

Trey,

Very creative use of the homepage.

Quick tip ....

Add your most emotional reason why to the top of the list.

Great blog BTW.

[Trey]

Great tips in the comments guys. Thanks.

Just ordered GTD on amazon!

[Jesse]

Hey Trey, saw you on Matt Trainer's site. Read this post earlier today and took action. I even got a little creative... mixed it up with "mind movie" secret sauce and posted two slide shows with captions I made on MySpace, full of emotionally juicy and powerful pictures... one with the things I want more of in life like health, happiness, wealth, women, waves ...and the other is the greatest purpose I have: my two kids. I added a spinning diamond to channel some good vibes and a music player full of 100 songs I like right now. On the right is my to do list. Just the beginning, I can add to this, change it, keep it fresh and current... all in the mediums I'm already working in. Click my name to check it out if it might help. Great Idea Man!!! Thanks... this integrates a lot of good stuff. Cool way to practice autosuggestion. Connecting the dots. No promo for me, just props to you - Gracias!

[Reba]

Hey Trey, great idea. One thing that might enhance the list for you, I just read somewhere that the mind processes a feeling of accomplishment when it sees a line through an item on your to do list. This in turn gives you motivation. Without the cross-off, the same sense of accomplishment isn't felt as strongly because the mind doesn't see it to process.

Maybe do a strike-through and move the completed item to the bottom of your list for a short period of time before you erase it.

[John Bandy]

Hey Trey,
You are right about running all over the place and not getting anything done. Kinda like a dog chasing his tail. The TODOLIST is a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
I need all the help I can get.

John

[Jeremy Reeves]

Hey Trey,

That's a great idea! I might have to try this one out :)

Jeremy Reeves
www.controlbeatingcopy.com

[Normal Joe]

Yo, that's a good idea right there man! My homepage opens to huge amounts of distraction! Having my goals on the homepage would definitely be of much help.

[Susan]

Hi Trey - and everyone... :)
Just a question a off topic - but regarding - not getting anything done. I've spent upwards of a month - trying to choose an affiliate market, yet everything I want to do involves the IM market. I know I should start there - yet after going around and around - I can't find a market I want to get involved with - except Internet marketing. I've read everything... like we all do -
Can you suggest something? Am I being just too picky - after all - I'm just starting out.

Anyone?
Thanks!
Susan

[Diana 'SexyFemale' Sabrain]

Hi Trey,

That's a great tactic to eliminate distractions.

By the way, your AutoLauncher2 is a cool piece of script.

However, I can't get the timer right. (I followed the setup instructions to the letter)

It keeps jumping to the sales URL instantaneously.

Any help?

Countdown page:
dianasabrain.com/freecoaching

Sales page:
dianasabrain.com/freecoaching/free.html

Cookie link:
dianasabrain.com/freecoaching/cookie.php

THANKS!

Diana

[Trey]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Email sent, Diana

[Nicolas Dreyfus]

You are just ripe for Mark Joyner Simple.ology.com
The todo list is easy to use, the site a a plus.
Get there quick.

[Kitty Smith]

Hey this is a fabulous idea! I sure can use something like this to keep myself on track. But I am at a loss as how to use it. I saved the file to my hard drive, but it only opens to an UN-editable web page. What am I missing?

[Security For PC]

This is awesome. Sweet and to the point. I like keeping it simple and this does just that. Thanks again it will help a lot when I am working on security for pc site.

[Naomi]

Good Idea!
I also recently found "Speed Dial"
which allows you to add the pages you go to often, or for those times when you don't have time to read the whole page. We all need to keep all those distractions - which there are MANY - to a minimum. I guess it's a firefox add-on but I like it.
chrome://speeddial/content/speeddial.xul
chrome://speeddial/content/speeddial.xul

[Cheryl Gonzalez]

Wow...that is a Great tip...I think I'll do it on all our computers...since we have a team over here working together.

Awesome idea! One of those... WHY didn't I think of that!!!

Thanks Trey! And glad to have found you.

[Kathy]

Thanks Trey. I will implement this list.

I also use a system where I write down the time and what I'm doing. Then each time I change directions, I write that down.
eg:
9am Check emails and respond
9.15 Phone call
9.45 Finish emails
10.05 Work on article for xxx

This helps me work out my time wasters such as a 30 minute phone call that probably should and could have been dealt with in 5-10 mins.

Hope this helps others sort out their time.

Kathy

[June]

This will be a great time saver for some, but I'm afraid I wouldn't take the time to fill it out every day, LOL. I keep a folder on my desk top called "Do Tomorrow" that I add projects files to. I also keep a running textpad note page in it that I delete and add to as things get done or come up. Works for me.

To Nicolas Dreyfus: You have to first right click the link and "save link as" with FireFox or "save target as" with IE. You then open it with your HTML editor, edit as you like, upload it to your server, open it in your browser and set it as your home page.

Hope that helps.

Aloha,
June

[Trey]

For the record, I just keep it on my desktop (you can set an HTML page on your computer as your homepage).

[Mark]

You ought to check out the difference between too and to.
As in: too many bloggers have terrible grammar and spelling. Versus: if one is going to write for a living, they should take a course or go to school and learn how.

[Holly Powell]

Trey found you on twitter! I shared this nugget with my skype chat. Thanks for the great tip.

[Angela Wills]

Just found you on twitter too! Love this idea for a html to-do list. I've got my homepage set to gmail but this would be MUCH more productive for me I think and make me really think about whether I have time to waste on email yet..

Thanks I'll try it out :). I've also got to order GTD, been meaning to get that for a while now.