I have lots of ideas and plans. I want to write a book, create an Android application for Ghacks that rocks, create other Android apps for various ideas that I have, create a boardgame and finally find the time to read all five Game of Throne novels which have been sitting on the desk for some time now.
Distractions are everywhere and it is sometimes difficult to keep on working if it is so much easier to do other stuff.
Maybe watch a TV show or a movie, browser eBay for bargains, watch videos on YouTube or simply browse the web to find out what is new.
While those activities are certainly entertaining, they keep me from pursuing my dreams and plans which obviously is a bad thing in the long run.
I tried using procrastination applications and extensions in the past but they don’t really work that well. Some block sites so that you cannot visit them but if you really want to, it is easy to bypass. For instance, by using a different browser any extension blocking access to sites would not be useful anymore.
Motivation is a free Chrome extension that shares those limitations. It is a different kind of anti-procrastination extension on the other hand as it does not block anything.
Instead, it puts the finger in the wound by displaying your age as it flows by on the new tab page.
The passing of time, or more precisely, your life, can be a powerful motivator as it can put certain things in perspective.
Yes, browsing Facebook every ten minutes or watching every YouTube video one of your friends sends you can be a rewarding experience but it does not help you in regards to what you want to achieve in life.
I think the extension works best for computer workers that spend long hours per day on the computer. While it can also work for people who use the computer occasionally, it may not have a powerful effect on them.
Before you start using the extension you are asked to enter your birthday. You can enter anything you want though even though birthday may be stronger than the current day for example as it personalizes the flow of time on the new tab page of the browser.
Verdict
Motivation puts the finger right into the wound by visualizing and personalizing the flow of time. It can be a powerful tool, especially if you use Chrome as your main browser.