I devote 30-45 mins each morning scanning and bookmarking HN and Reddit, and stay away from info-scrolling during the day. I completely stay out of twitter. If something is blowing up, it will surface on HN or Reddit. I also subscribe to several newsletters of interest in my field, and set up feeds in the Reader app, and I occasionally check what landed there.
I think it is essential to avoid the “raw” sources like Twitter or Google News, and instead scan what bubbles up into higher-level sources such as HN, reddit or newsletters.
I also meter my time on various projects using Toggl Track so I can monitor how I am using my time. Tracking also acts like a promise to myself that I will focus on something: e.g I start the timer to focus on X, and it acts as a subtle nudge to keep me honest and really focus on X.
I think it is essential to avoid the “raw” sources like Twitter or Google News, and instead scan what bubbles up into higher-level sources such as HN, reddit or newsletters.
I also meter my time on various projects using Toggl Track so I can monitor how I am using my time. Tracking also acts like a promise to myself that I will focus on something: e.g I start the timer to focus on X, and it acts as a subtle nudge to keep me honest and really focus on X.