computer usage - time management

[mags.bubble]

Tell me your self imposed computer rules. I spend way too much time on this and another site reading posts. I find myself reading what I am interested in AND things that don't/won't ever apply to me. I must stop.

What do you do to keep yourself in check?

[philomom]

I get my teens out the door for school.

I eat my own morning meal with juice here at the computer. By 9:45... I move onto housework or the day's errands.

I check in briefly on the forums at lunchtime.

I spend a few minutes online shortly before starting dinner.

That's all. Total time online is close to two hours a day.

But I'm an avid reader... there's always a book calling to me at my comfy chair downstairs.

[MJ13]

I'm the same way. I'll be reading a thread and then think "do I really care!" or just realize that it doesn't pertain to me in anyway!

I've mostly given up facebook and a couple local sites lately. Which have made a noticeable difference in my computer time.

My problem is that I leave my email open on the laptop which is on my kitchen counter. So I'll sit down to read an email then start doing other stuff and pretty soon I've been sitting here for 30 min (or longer ) So I suppose I should close the computer during designated times? boo.

[mummy2jess]

It really depends on what I want to get done in a day!.
Some days I just leave the laptop upstairs so it doesnt get turned on. Other days (like today) when I have to do things I dont really want to do like tidying and cleaning I bring it down and do 30 mins or 15 mins slots of each so say 15 mins browsing around on the laptop then 15 mins tidying. It works really well if I browse forums like this because you can dip in and out and it motivates me to get thigns done!

[newbymom05]

Computer time is absolutely my biggest time waster. If I'm feeling guilty about it I'll bring in a timer and limit myself to 15 or 30 minutes or whatever. It also helps if I write down exactly what looking for--so many times I have good intentions to do JUST ONE THING and then I get lost in link world.

[Gentle~Mommy :)]

I turn the computer off, so it's not so easy just to sit back and 'go' you would have to start it up and wait for windows and log in etc... it kind of puts me off sitting down at it until I know I really have the time.

[Naturalyst]

Computer time management?

[mags.bubble]

Well at least I am not alone!

I am so disciplined in so many areas, yet this one is difficult for me. I have tried to turn off the computer, which worked for awhile, but then I stopped. Maybe that is what I need to do again.

What I keep asking myself is how can I limit my kids screen time if I am just as guilty while they are at school or wherever. Yes, I don't watch tv at all, but screen time is screen time.

I hope more respond. I am sure there are more ideas or at least others in the same boat!

[HeatherAtHome]

If I'm "stuck" on the computer and feeling guilty that I haven't started cleaning or painting yet (we're renovating), I start looking at design blogs. It gets me motivated to get started working on my own home because I want it to look beautiful too.

[mags.bubble]

That makes sense too - looking at things that motivate you.

I swear that my computer time has caused me to become the type of person who is always 5-10 min late for everything.

It was definately better this weekend. I am trying to stay focused on the tasks that I meant to get online for. Doesn't always work though...