How to Minimize Distractions

SelfControl: This application for macOS allows you to block distracting websites for a designated period of time and display the amount of blocked time remaining on your screen. Alternatively, you can select specific websites to whitelist and block everything else.

StayFocusd: This extension for Chrome browsers lets you pick how much time you’re allowed to spend on a website before it’s automatically blocked. There is also a “nuclear” option that allows you to block the same websites (or alternatively, only allow whitelisted websites) for a certain amount of time.

Forest: This mobile app prevents you from using your phone by growing a tree on your screen. If you navigate away from the app, the tree dies and you must start over.

Fighter’s Block: This website asks you to type in a word count goal for a piece of writing and then select one of three “fighter” characters to defeat a designated antagonist. Once you’re on the writing screen, you must continue to write, or your character’s health will decrease and the game will end.

Squibler’s The Most Dangerous Writing App: This website is designed to turn off the internal editor and encourage text generation. You must type for the set number of minutes you select, and if you stop typing for 5 seconds, your words will start to fade and you won’t be allowed to continue (although you can easily download what you have already written). If you use the “hardcore” feature, you won’t be able to see what you are typing.