I'm Azamat, and I wanted to share ProDUCKtivity, a Chrome Extension I built to address a problem I constantly faced: getting sidetracked by distracting websites while trying to work.
Like many, I found typical hardcore website blockers didn't work for me long-term; I'd eventually disable them or find ways around them when a distraction craving hit hard. This led me to explore a different approach: what if, instead of blocking, an extension used gentle interventions to make me pause and reconsider?
That's the idea behind ProDUCKtivity. Instead of just blocking sites you tend to overuse, it uses customizable reminders:
1) Motivational audio clips of different intensities with a bit of humor. 2) Interactive prompts that require confirmation and solving math challenges before proceeding to the site. 3) A reflection prompt asking, "Why are you visiting this site right now?"
For me, that brief moment of reflection is often enough to break the automatic habit and get back to what I was doing.
This is the first version, and I know there's a lot that can be improved. I built ProDUCKtivity primarily to solve my focus problem, and I'm curious if this 'gentle nudge' approach resonates with others here compared to hard blocking.
What do you think of using interventions like these versus outright blocking? Are there specific features or types of prompts you believe would be more effective for staying focused?
I'd genuinely appreciate any feedback you have!