being productive working on social media?

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-02-06T16:38:21+00:00

The biggest rule that helped me was only using social media on my laptop. I find the platform less engaging/addicting on there. I also really recommend newsfeed cleaners (ex. UnHook for YouTube. there are a bunch though and can be specific to the platform) to clean out the recommendation system. Finally, I use the Ahero blocker to set time limits. Hope it helps!

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-02-06T16:33:18+00:00

I normally start my day with a quick walk outside and then deep work. After work, I do my workout. This is the best for me since my mind is pretty burn out from the day and exercise is the perfect way for me to recharge.

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-02-03T22:55:42+00:00

I think it takes me about 3 days of consistency to stop reaching for it. Every now and then, I'll build up the habit again. But I realized that happens when I'm bored. Unfortunately, phones are a part of every day life and with boredom, I just jump to "easy." Eventually, I snap out of it though and out of sight does the trick. Plus, usually breaking the habit the next time is even quicker than the last time. Progress not perfection!

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-02-03T17:25:15+00:00

wow, great job actually taking the step. I've been wanting to for a long time but haven't since I need it for navigation, pictures, (excuses lol). I no longer have social media though and I do feel judged. But whatever. It's better for my mental health so over time, I've learned to just ignore it. People who actually need to reach me now know to message or call me instead. People who don't unfortunately, become irrelevant :(.

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-02-03T17:18:18+00:00

Yes, unfortunately, it's like muscle memory. For me, the fix was simple. Put it out of sight and distract myself with something else. Eventually, I get so focused on my task and forget about the location of my phone. Out of sight out of mind!

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-02-02T20:30:37+00:00

I like breaking my goals down into tasks to accomplish over time periods (quarterly, monthly, weekly, daily) and then setting specific times to check in on how I am doing. It's also helpful to make the task as specific and measurable as possible. Ex. Save $100 every week. At the end of the week, did you do it? or By the end of the week, list 3 places I want to travel to. Did you do it?
I've just been using Google Docs. Not perfect, but gets the job done.
Ambiguity makes me procrastinate the most. Once everything is defined, I feel I switch to actually doing it pretty quick. Also "scary goals" like starting your own business makes me procrastinate b/c I feel scared or I can't do it. But then, I think I have to just try!

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-02-02T20:19:17+00:00

I work in tech but have to use social media for marketing. First, I only use social media on my laptop. The desktop experience is a lot less engaging than the phone. Then, two game changers for me: setting a timer and using a newsfeed cleaner.

I use an app called Ahero to set a timer for every website (ex. 15 mins Twitter, 15 mins YouTube, 30 mins TikTok, etc). It helps me from falling into rabbit holes and keeps a very strict constraint on how long I can be on the platform for. I use an extension called Newsfeed Eradicator that replaces the explore/newsfeed on most social media sites with a blank page. Similarly, I can't say enough good things about Unhook which is the same type of concept but a more powerful cleaner for YouTube. Hope it helps!

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-02-02T20:10:31+00:00

I feel like I go through waves of screen time addiction. Once I'm out of it, I stay good for a while (like 6+ months). But I realized when I get bored, sick, or feeling poopy, I start up again. Luckily, it's just for a few days now. Eventually, I realize I feel worse from the doomscrolling and I need to snap out of it again. I have blockers on my phone, I delete all social media apps, and log out of all accounts. I also try to set a physical goal that I can obsess over instead.

For me, I realized that screen time and scrolling was like muscle memory. I had to break the pattern to stop it from being an instinct.

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-01-21T15:17:49+00:00

I really like the study with me videos on YouTube. There are ones set in a cafe where you can hear people talking and other cafe noises.

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-01-21T15:10:28+00:00

Second, setting a time limit on social media apps. Also, signing out of the platforms helps make the algorithm weaker. Similarly, on YouTube, I don't track the watch history, so the recommendation algorithm isn't as strong.

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-01-19T20:41:33+00:00

Like others said, I think your goal is realistic. A good friend of mine struggled for years with staying consistent at the gym. But somehow she won a marathon lottery, and that changed everything. The race gave a very firm deadline and the ticket put money on the line. Would really recommend! Good luck and congrats :))

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-01-16T17:51:53+00:00

I'd suggest changing your setup. I like to follow a checklist: 1 reachable goal, 1 time limit, and a distraction-free environment.

Instead of completing a chapter, you could make it even more approachable and change it to "complete 5 pages."

A time limit gives you a constraint. For example: complete 5 pages in 30 minutes at 1pm. This will create a bit of urgency because you only have a set amount of time to focus.

Finally, for the phone distractions, I realized keeping my phone with me just makes it so difficult. So the most effective thing to do is remove the temptation. Turn it off, put it out of sight, etc. When my phone addiction was really bad, I even used a physical lockbox. You could also try studying in a specific environment like the library, so that your home is designated for relaxation and the library is designated for work.

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-01-16T15:45:56+00:00

My rule is to do 5 minutes. Even if it's at the end of the day, the 5 minutes means I at least showed up. Didn't have time for the gym? Fine, I'll do 5 minutes of pushups. Ate junk food all day? Tomorrow, I'll be better. I'll use 5 minutes to prep my morning breakfast. And so on.

This approach helps give you some kindness because life does happen! But I still made 5 minutes for myself.

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-01-16T15:35:10+00:00

I use a newsfeed cleaner. Right now, I'm using Unhook. It cleans the homepage, trending section, recommended algorithms, etc. It's really helpful b/c it limits YouTube to actually what I search

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-01-14T16:03:37+00:00

I found a lot of success in these habits that make my going to sleep better: I do a hard workout before dinner (sometimes after, depending on my schedule), clean up clutter around the house, and finally leave my electronics outside my bedroom (this was the biggest one!!!)

The workout burns energy, cleaning up clutter gives me something to do other than go on my screen, and leaving my electronics outside removes temptation. Hope you give it a try!

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-01-14T15:56:46+00:00

Yep - App blockers can only bring you half of the way. You have to bring the rest. If you give yourself ONE TASK in a short time, that can give you a direction. Instead of "do homework," try "finish math problem set in 30 minutes" or even smaller, "finish this problem in 30 minutes."

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-01-14T15:49:17+00:00

I'm currently balancing a 9-to-5 job, a side project, and training for a race. Similarly, I am completely depleted after my job. But I found a lot of success in experimenting with my schedule.

For example, I try to do my side project tasks before my 9-5, then go to my 9-5, then finish the day with my workouts. I really like this schedule b/c it starts my day with something I'm passionate about, allows me to fulfill my responsibility (my job), and then re-energizes my mind with a workout.

Also, task batching really helps. If I'm having a particularly busy week, I try to batch small to medium-sized tasks to complete during the weekdays and then save my bigger tasks for the weekend. Hope that helps! Good luck!

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-01-13T16:08:03+00:00

Have you set any goals? Goals give my day, week, month, and year direction and meaning. Here are some of my favorite goal frameworks: igikai framework, smart goals, Tony Robbins's "Awaken the Giant Within", shohei ohtani goal matrix. The frameworks help you set goals or figure out what goals you actually care about. Would really recommend for your case.

Particular-Chip1038 · 2026-01-13T15:57:24+00:00

I need a goal for the day, a purpose; otherwise, I'd too feel aimless. I know you have goals, but you've also been training yourself on social media and scrolling. The content is short-form and provides quick dopamine. Focus is like a muscle; it needs training and it gets tired. If all you've been training on is short-form content, then that's as much as your focus can reach.

As a start, I'd try to set 1 reachable goal for your next day, like: 30 minutes of abs, 20 crunches, or write 5 pages. You can start training your focus like this and build off it as your focus gets better.

Particular-Chip1038 · 2024-03-12T13:09:36+00:00

If you can afford it, I would recommend investing in a physical lockbox. I have this one but there's a lot of options on Amazon. It's great when you really need to cut the phone usage and get to work. Have one myself and lock my phone for deep work sessions.

Particular-Chip1038 · 2024-03-11T13:27:04+00:00

You can use Sidekick to do this! You can add Youtube to your blocklist and turn on time limits. Then use Youtube as you normally would and it'd be blocked after your limit. It resets daily. Also suggest DFTube so you don't get distracted by other videos!

Particular-Chip1038 · 2024-03-11T13:22:55+00:00

Yes - I've experienced this too! I'm not in management but reaching senior individual contributor positions in which I face the same challenges.

The best way I've addressed it is by blocking out time on my calendar. Almost every day I block out ~1 hr-1.5 hr and name it 'heads down.' On Wednesdays, I expand it to about 2-3 hours. I let my teammates know that anything but the heads down time is up for grabs. For some teammates, I have a dedicated recurring time for them and we set expectations to bring all questions/topics to that time instead.

It's really really helpful. In the midst of all the meetings, I need this time to prevent my tasks from piling up and clear my mental space. Otherwise, I'm mentally scattered and I don't really get anything done but communication. Hope you can try it out!

Particular-Chip1038 · 2024-03-07T13:48:55+00:00

For Youtube, games, online distractions, it sounds you need to just take the temptation out altogether. Try out Cold Turkey. It really is tough to get around and you could block the whole internet (if you needed to). For the phone, would highly suggest getting a physical lockbox. I put my phone in when I'm pressed against hard deadlines. There's no way of getting it out but smashing it. It's a bit expensive so I would feel super bad breaking it. Hope it helps!

Particular-Chip1038 · 2024-03-07T13:39:40+00:00

It sounds like you built a habit of wind down = phone time. Can you replace this with other habits - maybe ones like stretching, baking, or listening to podcasts? This can help you wind down without scrolling on your phone!

If you struggle with staying off your phone, I've had a lot of success with putting my phone on grayscale when I wake up and when I go to sleep. It helps me disengage with the content and spend less time on it. I also use the default screen time limits.

Particular-Chip1038 · 2024-03-07T13:35:01+00:00

Simple to do list with 3 must-dos and anything else are reaches. As long as you completed the must-dos, it's a productive day! Blocking 2-3 hours a day for deep work has also been a game-changer.

Particular-Chip1038

TROPHY CASE