Cal, one thing you could do to help readers is to set expectations regarding how long they should work on using a piece of advice before they should expect to have consistent success with

It differs depending on the advice. For me, as mentioned, successfully quarantining web surfing and e-mail took over a year of work. Most study habits, however, usually require around one half to one full semester to become second nature.

I just discovered http://macfreedom.com/ last night. I’ll do a post about it in awhile, but thought I would give a heads up to you and your audience in case you want to blog about the topic of uninterrupted studying in todays distracting environment.

There was an article about Freedom either in the Globe or the Times this weekend, I don’t remember which. I’m not sure how I feel about that program (for the unitiated, it turns off your Internet and requires a reboot to get it back on), I feel like if you’re reliant on that, then there are deeper issues to be fixed. But maybe a good short-term solution…

[...] Study Hacks » Blog Archive » The Hidden Art of Practice calnewport.com/blog/2009/10/21/the-hidden-art-of-practice – view page – cached Features: Pulling It All Together Study Hacks October 21st. 2009, 6:29pm — From the page [...]

This post is right on target with my own philosophy and just the observations I have made about my own life. In college I read many books on personal development, but I wasn’t transformed overnight. Much like your practice of proper e-mail habits and study techniques, it took me a couple of years of practicing to make the conscious choice of choosing a certain philosophy. I’m way different now, and I would say a much better person, then I was back in college 5 years ago (could have gone the other way, too!)

P.S. I just discovered http://macfreedom.com/ last night. I’ll do a post about it in awhile, but thought I would give a heads up to you and your audience in case you want to blog about the topic of uninterrupted studying in todays distracting environment.

For example, a favorite blogger of mine, gave advice regarding rejection. As an example, he mentioned that the ratio of girls he approaches compared to the girls he ultimately goes on a date with is 25:1. Such a bar of expectation gives a guy who has read that blog post hope that he shouldn’t worry about getting “blown out,” per se, until he accumulates a streak of 26 or more rejections. While the number is somewhat arbitrary, it’s at least a data point upon which comparisons can be made.

This is where both Cal and Jack’s suggestions come into play for me. When I reflect on why I’m failing at time management, I realize it’s because I’ve lost my perspective on things. To fix it, I have to get in the goal-oriented mindset that Cal focuses on. I love the feeling of getting my work done and having time to do whatever I want without any guilt or nagging thoughts. So I’m going to try, and try again at improving my time management.

Thanks guys!

Try and try again? Rather the person should figure out what is wrong with the approach, then the next time everything will be better

This is wise. As you note, it’s not so much blind repetition as it is trying, then when you fail, understanding why, tweaking the method, and trying again, until you stop failing.

Solid advice Cal