You’d like to be more productive.
You know you need to be.
It’s a good desire. The more productive you are, the more art you can ship, the greater change you can make, and better you’ll feel at the end of the day.
But have you ever wondered, what is the essence of being productive?
Well, let me ask you this: When do you feel most productive? It generally happens when you enter a bubble – a zen – in which everything but what you’re doing completely disappears from your conciousness.
If you could achieve this state on a routine basis, your productivity would skyrocket. You’d start amazing yourself with how much you get done. They’d start asking you what your secret is.
Achieving a zen state is not as hard and complicated as you think, either.
But it’s rarely done. We welcome and love distractions. Recently on the way to town, I saw a motorcyclist stopped at an intersection jabbing intenly on his iPhone. He’s an excellent example of how hopelessly distracted we get.
So, how can you enter zen mode?
It’s simple. There are just two steps.
1. Get away from the Internet.
That’s right – you, the Internet entreprenuer, get away from the Internet. I know that may sound a bit crazy to you, but being online is naturally a state of distractedness. The Internet operates off distractions. Tabs, windows, links, boxes, fields, popups, notifications, badge alerts – every one of them is an element of distraction.
Contrary to what some may think, when you’re online you’re not getting true work done. All you’re doing is consuming things.
Real work happens offline.
To be productive, you have to escape the Internet.
There are only two ways to do this. First, you turn off your connection. Or second, you take your laptop to a park, field, or restaurant and escape wifi completely.
Don’t pretend that all you have to do is turn off Firefox. You’ll find yourself opening it back up for a quick check on the latest stats, emails, and tweets. What’s wrong with a break is that it always take longer than you plan. A quick Facebook check turns into more tabs and links (elements of distractions) and suddenly forty minutes have gone by and you still haven’t gotten back to work.
Far worse, breaks eject you from your zen.
It’s extremely difficult closing a browser.
No, to boost your productivity you have to actively escape the Internet, and you have to be radical about it.
The smaller the device, the easier it is to get distracted. iPads are iPhones are the worst. The interfaces are so slick and shiny, it’s easy to spend hours at a time just hopping from links and enjoying a good round of Need for Speed Shift.
If you’re going to be productive, you can’t have your smartphone in your pocket. Phones were invented so you could make a phone call when you needed to, not so you could be unproductive.
2. Enter your zen.
The weird thing about the Internet is, once you disable it, you don’t miss it nearly as much as you thought you would. It’s really strange, but the ache to check email isn’t as bad if your pockets are empty and your connection is turned off.
As soon as you’re connected again, the feeling comes right back. Don’t do it.
Okay, now that you’re completely unhooked, you’re ready to get into your zen. You’re left with nothing but you and your art, and you can get to work.
As you immerse yourself, you’ll start focusing intently on your project. Everything else will disappear. You’ll lose track of time, space, everything. This happens to me on a regular basis, and it’s awesome. Kind of like drugs, except cheaper and legal.
When you’re tethered online, you can spend hours accomplishing very little. That’s not very amazing, and it happens to us all the time.
But it’s truly amazing how much art you can create in 2-3 hours time if you go offline and focus. Maybe it’s been a long time since you’ve experienced this. You need to get back to this. Today.
Wait! That’s physically impossible.
This whole “escape Internet” thing sounds like a pretty cool idea, but how can I do this? I mean, blogging is a huge part of my business model. Communication is vital – and that requires an online connection.
You’re right.
But a lot of your work can be done offline. All of your writing can be done offline (with possible exceptions for research). You don’t need the Internet until you’re actually ready to publish.
Check email less often. Only do Twitter a few times a day. Don’t read so many blogs. If you’re using a Mac, go minimalist and use Omm Writer. If you’re not using a Mac, buy one. 
It’s time you quit wasting hours every day browsing the Internet. And yes, if you added up the time, it’s hours every day. I know it’s fun surfing the web, but if you’re going to be productive, it’s got to stop.
Here’s to a productive, audacious workweek.
I know what you mean about getting off the Internet. when you do, all the sudden you start getting a lot of stuff done!
Tell me about it. I think we all need to get off Two Hour Blogger and get to work.
I’m too addicted.
Heh, that’s okay Joe. We’ll let you stay around here.
BTW, working offline in a park not only makes you more productive, it also makes you enjoy working, because of the nature’s effect. God is the best designer!
Oh, and Omm Writer is now also available for PC.
What!? You just ruined my day Raul.
Haha. I would definitely love it on a Mac, though, but it is what it is (for now).
Omm is awesome. I wrote this whole article on it. With nothing but text on the screen, it makes you write in a different way. It’s weird, and awesome.
Ok – so I went over to the Ommwriter site. And the first thing I see is “ommwriter dana.” I’m like, “How in the WORLD did this website know my name? That is some pretty cool feature that it snags my info and welcomes me with my own name.”
Um yeah, I’m really not blonde. Sleep deprived, yes, but I swear I’m not that stupid in real life. LOL
Um ….
this is real life Dana.
Just kidding.
Maybe.
hahahahaha – I mean in things not pertaining to blogging/computers/etc!!!! Im new to all this, so everything can be a little overwhelming. Hence my subscription to Two Hour Blogger…..
I’m glad you’re subscribed. This post has absolutely backfired on me. I did such a good job convincing people that they need to quit hanging out on the Internet…
that they’re unsubscribing like crazy so they can get back to work. I’m about to cry. #dontdothis
You know people are fickle and can be subscribing for a myriad of reasons that are unrelated to this article. Your advice was good. I find that I am less focused when I have all of my internet pages open. In particular, I have to close my Facebook page when ever I’m doing school work or writing for my blog. I silence my mobile as well so that I am not distracted by the blips and beeps of newly arrived email.
Thank you – I just downloaded Ommwriter for PC
Angela, I should have named this post “Omm Writer.” It looks like that’s everyone’s takeaway from this article. Oh well.
Well, it’s a good takeaway, Martyn.
Let me take a moment to say this: I have been following several large blogs about writing and blogging, and I truly feel that I have received more “nuts and bolts” guidance from the articles provided here on Two Hour Blogger. I made several changes based on your suggestions, and in the process, I’ve renewed my passion for blogging. You provide insight that is very tangible, and even if it was only the mention of Ommwriter that served as a takeaway, the more important thing is that I found it HERE; I see it as serendipity – and I am grateful for it
That’s awesome. Thanks.
For some people, Martyn, work involves supporting Web applications and building Web software, which requires substantial use of online resources for achieving real productivity. I do agree, however, that there are times when it is most beneficial to disconnect from online resources in order to facilitate focused work on particular challenges or to develop ideas. Online distractions are dangerous.
Yes! I was waiting for someone to say this.
Let’s face it: I spent 10 hours behind my MacBook Air yesterday, and most of that time was spent online. When you’re working with clients and using Web applications, there’s nothing you can do about it.
In such a situation, you basically have to minimize disaster by turning off notifications and programs, and trying to stay in the developer’s end of the Internet.
Thanks for stopping by. I consider it an honor, and I really mean that.
Due to the fact that different levels of web access are needed by some, I think the real point here is FOCUS. I’ve recently started working in 30-minute focused blocks (no email, phone or browsing allowed) and it’s made a huge difference in my output. I may move to 1-hour blocks, however, since I sometimes hate to shut the mojo off when I’m on a roll!
Best,
Scott
I just found your website. Awesome content. This post was really helpful for me. I always seem to get distracted when I’m connected to the internet. But no one ever tells you to just turn it off! Ha thanks for the tip. It works!
Getting offline is the key to productivity. But that simple step can be really difficult! Cough.
Martyn, what are your thoughts on selective blocking tools like Chrome’s StayFocusd? I’ve found that it can be a pretty flexible tool for enforcing periods of productivity. Given that you can circumvent it fairly easily by opening another browser, it certainly doesn’t guarantee a distraction free environment, but it can help get you there if you NEED to be online for one reason or another.
You have to have self-discipline yourself in order to be productive. Tools like StayFocused try to take the responsibility off your own shoulders, but that’s where it belongs.
Just came across your blog and was immediately drawn to its title. I love your emphasis on quality writing and making this the priority for anyone who blogs. I find myself battling the pull of the internet/emails/twitter all of the time. I had never heard of Omm and just downloaded it and tried it immediately: love it! Thanks.
For those who are working in an internet base Martyn, this guide is really shocking but very good ideas. I have fun reading all of it.
#1 is hard but essential. Any tool can be misused, especially the Internet.
Btw, I LOVE Ommwriter. Really enjoying seeing how much we have in common, Martyn!
I’m glad you liked this post, because a LOT of people unsubscribed when I wrote it. Not sure why haha.
I look forward to getting to know you better, Jeff. You’re a neat guy.
I read about deliberately going offline & eliminating distractions to get work done, so I tried it last week. Early in the morning, I left my smartphone in another room, turned my router off, which turned my VOIP off too. I got into that zen place and got a lot done. And then my kids woke up. I haven’t figured out how to turn them off yet.
I’m enjoying your blog, your voice and your perspective. Very refreshing and entertaining. Thanks!