Switching from tab to tab, getting no work done, and then lamenting another unproductive day. If that sounds familiar, Cold Turkey’s website blocker could be the answer for you, as it was for me.
How Cold Turkey Stops You From Procrastinating
Cold Turkey is oneway touse technology to overcome procrastination, and it has several helpful tools. The app sets stricter blocks and offersmuch more. Here’s an overview:
1. Set Hard Blocks
One of the biggest advantages of using Cold Turkey is that you’re able to set firm blocks with its Frozen Turkey feature. It’s helpful for short-term blocks, such as if you need to stop using the internet unproductively to prepare for an upcoming exam. You will need to set these manually with a free plan, but it’s at least still possible.
Hard-blocking websites is even better if you want to curb long-term addictions. For example, you’re able to set this feature if you’re prone to browsing the latest sports news or watching pointless YouTube videos while you’re working on your computer.
To set hard blocks, you can choose the websites you don’t want to access on your computer. Once you’ve done that, you can then tap the padlock icon to ensure that you’re not allowed to remove the block. Each time it expires, you can renew the blocker.
2. Difficult to Delete
Whenpracticing digital minimalismand looking for an app that blocks screen time, it’s important to look for something that’s hard to delete. Many screen time apps are easy to remove, making them largely pointless—especially if you’re determined enough.
It is possible to delete Cold Turkey, but doing so is much more complex than many other apps. If you have a padlocked block, for example, you cannot uninstall the app until it ends. Moreover, you’ll keep seeing a prompt to install the Cold Turkey extension on any new browsers that you download.
Because Cold Turkey is harder to uninstall, you’re more likely to focus on your task and not bother with attempting to bypass the app.
3. Works Across All Main Browsers
Some website blockers only work in a couple of browsers, meaning that you can still access websites that you shouldn’t elsewhere. Cold Turkey, on the other hand, works regardless of your main browser. Besides Safari, Chrome, and Edge, you can also use Cold Turkey in Opera and Microsoft Edge.
You’ll need to use your tablet or smartphone to access websites you shouldn’t. To block even that workaround, it’s wise to install a separate blocker;Opal is an excellent option.
Why I Think You Should Consider Upgrading to the Paid Version
The free version of Cold Turkey is great if you want to set boundaries and concentrate without distractions. However, you’ll get much more from the app if you upgrade to the paid version (this costs $39 as a one-time purchase).
1. Set Scheduled Blocks
Setting hard blocks is a powerful way to stop procrastinating, but having to regularly update these gets exhausting. After a certain point, you’ll probably want to schedule your blocks—which you’re able to do with the free version.
You can choose whether you want your blocks to take place every day or only on certain days during the week. Moreover, you can pick the specific times for which you want to block websites.
For those blocks that are non-negotiables, you can hit the lock so that you can’t undo this. On the home window, you’ll see an overview of your upcoming blocks.
2. Set Breaks When Needed
Sticking to your tasks is much easier if you know that you can take a break. This is particularly important if you’ve never tried to quit overusing the internet before. Whereas the free version of Cold Turkey doesn’t let you do this, you can do so easily with the paid edition.
You can set breaks wherever you think that doing so is necessary; consider using tactics like the Pomodoro Technique to break your day into manageable chunks. Working for one hour before taking a 15-minute break can also work. Consider combining these with moreunique productivity techniqueslike study-with-me videos.
3. Block Websites and Apps
When using the free version of Cold Turkey, you can only block websites. While this is useful for eliminating a lot of distractions, you’re still at risk of procrastinating by opening apps on your computer. These don’t even need to be distracting apps; I’ve sometimes obsessed over the Weather app because I deleted Instagram, for example.
After upgrading to the paid version of Cold Turkey, you may block any apps that don’t move you toward your goals. You can add these in the same way that you would with a website. Besides adding apps from your computer, you can block apps by uploading folders.
