https://www.proz.com/forum/poll_discussion/351223-poll_how_do_you_manage_online_distractions_social_media_messaging_apps_news_feeds_etc.html

Poll: How do you manage online distractions (social media, messaging apps, news feeds, etc.)?
Auteur du fil: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
COLLABORATEUR DU SITE
Jun 1, 2021

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How do you manage online distractions (social media, messaging apps, news feeds, etc.)?".

View the poll results »



 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
États-Unis
Local time: 10:05
Membre (2003)
espagnol vers anglais
+ ...
Still working on it Jun 1, 2021

It's still a challenge for me. My biggest problem is emails. I receive a lot of messages about volunteer activities that require immediate attention, even when I'm working. Also, I recently published a book and there's a lot of feedback and comment around that.

 
neilmac
neilmac
Espagne
Local time: 19:05
espagnol vers anglais
+ ...
Willpower Jun 1, 2021

I'm quite busy today, so I shouldn't spend more than a couple of minutes posting this...

Tony Keily
P.L.F. Persio
Aline Amorim
Tom in London
Jessica Noyes
Matthias Brombach
María José Domínguez Camba
 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Danemark
Local time: 19:05
Membre (2003)
danois vers anglais
+ ...
Other Jun 1, 2021

I don't have the smartphone anywhere near me when I am working - it is strictly only for private use.

If anyone rings, it is usually for my husband or a nuisance call - 'marketing', they call it. I get those on the landline too, but as a rule I manage to say 'thanks, but no thanks' and put the receiver down.
Sometimes my colleagues start an active discussion on Facebook - and I take part - but I can ignore it.

Otherwise - what messaging apps, news feeds etc.? I si
... See more
I don't have the smartphone anywhere near me when I am working - it is strictly only for private use.

If anyone rings, it is usually for my husband or a nuisance call - 'marketing', they call it. I get those on the landline too, but as a rule I manage to say 'thanks, but no thanks' and put the receiver down.
Sometimes my colleagues start an active discussion on Facebook - and I take part - but I can ignore it.

Otherwise - what messaging apps, news feeds etc.? I simply don't use messaging apps or newsfeeds. I subscribe to magazines and newspapers and read them when not working.

Most of the family are working themselves - we do not disturb each other in office hours.

The worst distractions come from CLIENTS!
Either they are all totally silent, or they send me jobs all at once, then keep adding 100 words here and there...
No, of course I don't believe in conspiracies, but it is incredible how often they seem to synchronize.
Collapse


Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Tony Keily
Marta Bevanda
Josephine Cassar
frz
Christopher Schröder
María José Domínguez Camba
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 18:05
Membre (2007)
anglais vers portugais
+ ...
Other Jun 1, 2021

I don't use or participate in social media at all; I don’t use instant messaging and I only respond to phone messages when I have the time (most are publicity anyway); I’ve turned off all news feeds.

There are though some non-online distractions I can’t really avoid:

1. Calls or emails from my eldest daughter. She’s also a translator (in a very different field – biotechnology) and she finds easier to ask Mom than to open a dictionary (it’s my fault and I sh
... See more
I don't use or participate in social media at all; I don’t use instant messaging and I only respond to phone messages when I have the time (most are publicity anyway); I’ve turned off all news feeds.

There are though some non-online distractions I can’t really avoid:

1. Calls or emails from my eldest daughter. She’s also a translator (in a very different field – biotechnology) and she finds easier to ask Mom than to open a dictionary (it’s my fault and I shouldn’t complain as I love helping her);
2. My very needy dog.

I still manage to get my work done on time…
Collapse


Tony Keily
Tina Vonhof (X)
Philip Lees
 
Tom in London
Tom in London
Royaume-Uni
Local time: 18:05
Membre (2008)
italien vers anglais
Not Jun 1, 2021

Q "How do you manage online distractions (social media, messaging apps, news feeds, etc.)?".
A By not letting them distract me.

The only exception is my cat, which periodically decides it's time for me to stop doing pointless human stuff. To achieve this she jumps up on the table and sits on the keyboard, requiring to be stroked. I have to stop work.

[Edited at 2021-06-01 10:23 GMT]


Baran Keki
Christopher Schröder
IrinaN
 
matt robinson
matt robinson  Identity Verified
Espagne
Local time: 19:05
Membre (2010)
espagnol vers anglais
Other Jun 1, 2021

By prioritising.

 
Philip Lees
Philip Lees  Identity Verified
Grèce
Local time: 20:05
grec vers anglais
Ignore Jun 2, 2021

Teresa Borges wrote:

I don't use or participate in social media at all


Likewise. I took a conscious decision years ago not to get involved with any of that stuff. No regrets so far.


Béatrice DEZERALD
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Paul van Zijll
 
Maxi Schwarz
Maxi Schwarz  Identity Verified
Local time: 12:05
allemand vers anglais
+ ...
Other Jun 2, 2021

When I'm working I'm working. "Messages" will be from clients, usually e-mail form.

Christopher Schröder
 
Anne Maclennan
Anne Maclennan  Identity Verified
Local time: 19:05
Membre (2010)
allemand vers anglais
+ ...
Cat interruptions Jun 2, 2021

Tom,

I know exactly what you mean. I have a cat with the same habit. It is possible to ignore the telephone, but not the cat! She has an instinct for the moment I have finished a translation.


Tom in London
 
IrinaN
IrinaN
États-Unis
Local time: 12:05
anglais vers russe
+ ...
Never stopped living for translation Jun 2, 2021

I work to live, not the other way around.

My Iphone is set to announce "Unknown callers" and I don't bother even to look at it. Would check the voice mail later. Other than that, I live my life - answer the phone, read emails if the notification suggests an interesting/useful one, pay attention to my cats etc., etc., etc.

No social media, no forced "news feeds" but not for the sake of non-interrupted translation. Shutdown mode is for teleconferences only.


 
Christopher Schröder
Christopher Schröder
Royaume-Uni
Membre (2011)
suédois vers anglais
+ ...
I don’t do social media Jun 2, 2021

I’m not even on ProZ.

P.L.F. Persio
 
Nikola Stojkovic
Nikola Stojkovic
Local time: 21:05
anglais vers serbe
Some advice for weak-willed persons :) Jun 2, 2021

1. StayFocused - Wonderful Chrome extension that lets you block sites and/or limit time spent on websites. Nuclear option is quite useful.
2. 2FA + password manager - Security reasons aside, 2FA and passwords manager will make it more difficult to login on time wasting websites.
3. Digital wellbeing for mobile. Try to uninstall social media/news apps and and use browser instead.
4. Email notifications - Use different sound for job related emails with Gmail checker +

... See more
1. StayFocused - Wonderful Chrome extension that lets you block sites and/or limit time spent on websites. Nuclear option is quite useful.
2. 2FA + password manager - Security reasons aside, 2FA and passwords manager will make it more difficult to login on time wasting websites.
3. Digital wellbeing for mobile. Try to uninstall social media/news apps and and use browser instead.
4. Email notifications - Use different sound for job related emails with Gmail checker +

Hope this helps!
Collapse


 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brésil
Local time: 14:05
Membre (2014)
anglais vers portugais
+ ...
Responsibilities Jun 3, 2021

When you reach a certain level of responsibility, with children, bills to pay, a pet and a series of daily issues, these things lose importance exponentially. For the past seven years, they haven't taken more than 5% of my working hours, ever, even if I don't have work to do.

 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Modérateur(s) de ce forum
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Poll: How do you manage online distractions (social media, messaging apps, news feeds, etc.)?






CafeTran Espresso
You've never met a CAT tool this clever!

Translate faster & easier, using a sophisticated CAT tool built by a translator / developer. Accept jobs from clients who use Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast & major CAT tools. Download and start using CafeTran Espresso -- for free

Buy now! »
Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »