Have you ever felt like you’re being drained of your energy on the Internet? You want to participate in online activities, such as social media posting and video sharing, but you just can’t seem to muster the necessary focus and concentration? You want to do your best work and engage with your audiences, but the Internet is making you feel exhausted and unproductive. You’re not alone. As a society, we’re increasingly reliant on technology, and unfortunately, the Internet is one area where we spend a lot of time and have a lot of exposure. Whether you’re an Instagram user or a Snapchatter or even just someone who checks Twitter now and then, everyone has an opinion about what’s happening on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In the midst of all this, you need to be mindful of how you use these platforms, especially if you’re using them after work hours. What follows is a short guide for how you can use the Internet more efficiently and productively, avoiding being an energy drain and maximizing your productivity.
Set Clear Goals
The very first thing you need to do is set some clear goals. It’s important to find a balance between staying distracted and being productive, and it’s all about finding that line. When you have a clear idea of what you’re going for, it’s much easier to keep focused. Sometimes, we get so engrossed in the minutia of everyday life that we forget what we’re really striving for. We need goals to keep us moving in the right direction. Set some goals for yourself regularly, such as taking a daily walk or eating healthy meals, and you’ll find that your energy levels will start increasing almost immediately. Setting clear goals also helps you to determine what exactly you’ve achieved—whether you’ve met the objective you set yourself or not. Keeping track of your efforts and progress, in addition to the ever-evolving list of goals you set for yourself, will assist you in identifying areas of growth as well as areas where you need to focus your attention. It’s a win-win situation. Once you have goals in place, you can set yourself a task to accomplish them. For example, if one of your goals is to reduce your daily coffee intake, you might decide to try out a cup of chamomile tea instead. You’ll know you’ve succeeded if you meet the goal you set for yourself, otherwise, it’s back to square one. On the other hand, if you don’t meet the goal you set for yourself, it’s time to review your objectives, establish new ones, and get back to work. This is the beauty of having set goals—you have a clear, documented roadmap to follow, and you’ll know exactly what to do next. This helps you avoid wasting your time and effort trying to figure things out for yourself, which, in the end, may lead you down the wrong path. Setting goals and following through on them is the only way to ensure you’re making the most of your time on the Internet.
Cut Back On The Coffee
The caffeine in coffee has been shown to play a role in boosting brainpower, making you more alert and focused. While it’s great for occasional coffee lovers, those who consume it daily, or even near-daily, may be setting themselves up for energy crashes. A lot of us work through tasks more efficiently when we have a caffeine buzz, but in the same way, that rush can also come with a downside. If you have trouble concentrating or focusing, it may be best to avoid coffee and other caffeine-containing beverages, at least, until you can figure out what’s causing the problem. This will help you avoid those frustrating energy crashes and keep your productivity up. One of the key areas where caffeine can hamper your focus is when you take it right before bedtime. The reason behind this is that caffeine reduces the body’s melatonin levels, resulting in poor sleep quality. In addition, studies have shown that caffeine can cause anxiety and restlessness, which may lead to a less productive day. If you’re feeling a bit off-center or frustrated by the Internet, cutting back on your daily coffee intake may help. You might want to try black tea or green tea instead to see if they have similar benefits to coffee, but with fewer, if any, of its downsides. The key is moderation. Just because something is healthy and nutritious doesn’t mean you have to push yourself to consume it every day. Everyone’s body is different, and what may work for someone else, may not work for you. Finding what works for you and what causes you to be energized rather than drained is the key to a healthy lifestyle.
Try An Alternate Browser
Even if you’re using the correct settings on your device, it’s important to ensure that the browser you’re using is up to date and has all the necessary security patches. Having an out-of-date browser could potentially put you at risk, and that’s something you don’t want to risk, especially if you’re working remotely, or anywhere, for that matter. If you frequently experience speed problems, especially when browsing popular websites, it may be time for a change. There are a number of browsers available for download, and you might want to try one out to see if it makes a difference. One of the great things about a browser is that it’s constantly updated, so you’ll never be more than a couple of days behind the latest version, which is great, because you never know when a security issue might be addressed, or when a feature you rely on might be updated to make your life easier. Browsers are a great example of technology advancing to make our days more convenient. When it comes to keeping up with the times, or at least, being on the cutting edge when it comes to convenience and effectiveness, browsers, such as Chrome and Firefox, have you covered. If you’ve tried other browsers and found them lacking, it may be time to try out one of these, as well.
Create Reminder Phrases
Have you ever noticed how sometimes, your brain just won’t let you forget about things? Letting other people know you’re constantly thinking about them can be quite the memory jolt. Since your brain isn’t working in isolation, but within the context of everyday life, it puts things into context and makes them easier to remember. This is why you may find it easier to remember things when you tell other people about them, or when you associate them with something you already know. For example, if you need to remind yourself to call your mother next week, you may find the following phrases helpful:
- My mother’s telephone number
- The week following next week
- During the week following next week
- On a Friday
- Tomorrow night
- Next Friday
- This Friday
As you build your phrases, don’t be afraid to add some that are a bit more fun—you’re allowed to have some fun, right? Just be sure to add keys words and numbers to the phrases so you can easily reference them later, if needed. Having a couple of phrases at the ready can also ensure you don’t forget about things too soon. You can also consider creating a digital record of your phrases, in case you ever do forget what they are. This may be the easiest way to remember them. A few apps can even generate phrases based on what you look for, so if you don’t want to remember to call your mother, you might create a phrase like “remind me about my mother,” and then another phrase for “the week following next week,” which would be helpful in creating a reminder. These tips should assist you in using the Internet more efficiently and productively, avoiding being an energy drain and maximizing your productivity. Remember to relax, take breaks when needed, and don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for all the good work you’re doing. You’re making a difference, one day at a time. Keep up the good work!