How to Avoid Spending Too Much Time On The Internet

The internet is a wonderful source of interesting information. But information is worthless until it is put to use in your life. Does the time you spend surfing keep you from getting to the things in "real life" that really need doing? Read on for some painless ways to streamline your leisure time online.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• notebook, or
• personal organizer
• timer (optional)

1. Keep your "Real Life" in order. Always check your calendar before you go to bed, to remind yourself of what is on the agenda for tomorrow and what is coming up. From this, you can draw up a to-do list in your notebook/organizer to make sure nothing gets forgotten.
2. Set priorities. Leisure time online should not exceed the time you spend studying for a test or sewing a gift for your mother-in-law. Block time in your daily schedule to work on projects that need doing, and schedule breaks in between, when you allow yourself time to surf. When you come to the end of your break time, bookmark what you are doing, and close the window. If you tend to lose track of time, this is where a timer can come in handy!
3. For a while, keep track of what you do online, writing it down in a notebook. This will help you to be more mindful of how you are spending the time, and you will see what you can cut out.
4. Evaluate where you go online. Don't kill time reading about stuff that is useless to you. Stick with relevant, worthwhile sites that are profitable for you.

Tips & Warnings

• "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that the stuff life is made of." (Benjamin Franklin)
• "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." (Solomon)