Don't half work on something while browsing HN. If you are going to not work, might as well actually gain the benefit of a break. Try to make it so you are all

Don't half work on something while browsing HN. If you are going to not work, might as well actually gain the benefit of a break. Try to make it so you are all way "on" or all the way "off". Have a cue that separates the too. Some people have a work computer and a play computer. Personally it's enough to have two different desktop environments that I switch between. If you find yourself lingering in the 'off' state, get up and take a walk outside. Basically train yourself to notice when you are wasting time, but also forgive yourself for not being able to work 12hrs a day every day with absolute discipline. Edit: Internet research is dangerous and tends to fragment attention. Batch your searches. Stop yourself from instantly diving into a google search for the details of whatever problem you are working on. Instead have a little notepad of things you need to check on later. Try to distill a narrow question that you are trying to answer.