Freelance Writing: Simple Tips on Complicated Topics4 Reasons Why Browsing the Web for Fun is Good for Writing

browsing the webAre you successful in fighting off Facebook temptations? Neither are we.
However, if you have not deactivated your Facebook profile yet, do not hurry to do so. The findings of recent studies have shown that browsing the web for fun can actually improve your productivity. Yes, you’ve got it right – Internet can help you work better.
Brent Coker, a university lecturer from Melbourne, conducted a study of people who used or didn’t (couldn’t) use Facebook at work. Guess what? The results have shown that, if leisure browsing takes less than 20% of the total working time, it can improve productivity by 9%.

Top 4 Reasons for Browsing the Web for Fun

If you are still unsure whether Facebook (MySpace/Twitter/Google+/Reddit) is a friend or a foe, here we give you at least 4 reasons to take short Facebook (or any other social network) breaks at work.

  1. Improved concentration. Every time you see only blurred pictures instead of scholarly documents, you need a break. And giggling at your school friend’s FB status or looking at a couple of hilarious pics on Reddit are perfect options. Amazing things can happen – your efficiency can resurrect. It is like second wind for athletes.
  2. Improved motivation. Fortunately, users of social networks can post not only kittens and flowers, but also some motivational and informative stuff. Unless you have a strong immunity against motivational quotes, you are doomed to get back to work.
  3. General awareness. When browsing the web for fun, you can find surprisingly valuable information. It can be breaking news, valuable products or trainings. Yes, we agree, most adverts are a waste of time. However, some of them are worth checking out. Moreover, Google now tries to offer you customized search results that are most likely to be of interest to you. This means that Google uses your search history to understand your interests and give you what you need.
  4. Social contacts. By contributing to online discussions, leaving meaningful comments and asking questions, you can build valuable professional and personal contacts. Do you use the options of polls on Facebook, LinkedIn or HARO? You can use these resources to connect to experts whom you would never meet in real life. Internet can work miracles. Just give it a try.

So, it turns out that browsing the web for fun (if you do not overdo it) is not as bad as it may seem.
On the other hand, the unpredictable way in which Facebook pages update and useful e-mails arrive makes checking out profiles addictive. Therefore, leisure browsing can be helpful ONLY if you can plan and control it.
Do you agree that surfing the web can be good for your concentration, motivation, awareness and contacts? Do you make Facebook breaks while writing?
We can’t wait to read your responses in the section below.

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