Boost Your Productivity with the Cold Turkey Chrome Extension

Staying focused and avoiding distractions is a constant struggle in the digital age. With so many websites and apps vying for our attention, it’s easy to get sucked into endless scrolling and lose productivity. This is where browser extensions like Cold Turkey can help.

What is the Cold Turkey Chrome Extension?

The Cold Turkey Chrome extension is a simple but powerful productivity tool. It allows you to block distracting websites and apps right from Google Chrome Once installed, you can create a custom blocklist of sites and set timed sessions where these sites are completely blocked

Created by Canadian developer Felix Schlüsselbauer, Cold Turkey aims to help you avoid distractions stay focused and get work done. It goes beyond simple website blockers with advanced features like

• Block by keyword, URL, domain or wildcard
• Set recurring scheduled blocks
• Lock blocks with a password
• Block apps and extensions
• Block local files
• Stay accountable with random inspections
• Available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and more

With over 100000 users, Cold Turkey is one of the most popular and highly-rated productivity extensions available.

Why Use the Cold Turkey Chrome Extension?

Here are some of the key benefits of using Cold Turkey for Chrome:

Stop Procrastination

The main purpose of Cold Turkey is to defeat procrastination by blocking access to your worst time-wasting sites. You can add sites like Netflix, Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, games, news sites, and more to your blocklist. This eliminates the constant temptation to check them when you should be working.

Avoid Distractions

Even if you don’t procrastinate heavily, distractions can still kill productivity. Cold Turkey blocks notifications, sounds, videos – everything – from blocked sites to eliminate anything that might break your focus.

Focus on Important Tasks

By limiting access to distractions, Cold Turkey lets you zero in on deep, focused work. You can direct all your mental energy towards creative tasks, problem-solving, writing, and other cognitively demanding work.

Work Offline

Cold Turkey includes the option to block local files. This transforms your computer into a pseudo-typewriter, forcing you offline. It’s perfect when you need to power through writing or coding without internet temptations.

Set Timed Sessions

The extension allows you to set timed blocking sessions from 5 minutes to 8 hours. This works well with techniques like the Pomodoro method to alternate intense focus periods with breaks.

Track Productivity

Cold Turkey offers robust blocking analytics so you can see how much time you’re saving. This serves as added motivation to reduce wasted time on unproductive sites.

How to Install the Cold Turkey Chrome Extension

Installing Cold Turkey only takes a minute. Just follow these steps:

1. Open the Chrome Web Store
   Go to the Cold Turkey listing in the Chrome Web Store. Click “+ Add to Chrome” to install.

2. Accept the Permissions
   Accept the permissions when prompted. This allows the extension to block sites and manage your Chrome data.

3. Enable Incognito Mode
   If asked, make sure to enable incognito mode permissions. This allows Cold Turkey to block sites in private browsing windows.

4. Check Site Access
   Double check that site access is enabled for “On all sites” in your Chrome extension settings.

That’s it! The Cold Turkey extension icon will appear in your browser toolbar, ready to block sites.

How to Use Cold Turkey to Block Distractions

Once installed, using Cold Turkey is very straightforward:

1. Add Sites to Block

Click the Cold Turkey icon and go to Settings. Here you can enter any URLs, keywords, or wildcard domains to block. For example:

• Specific URLs: facebook.com, netflix.com, reddit.com
• Keywords: news, youtube, shopping
• Wildcards: .com, .io

2. Set a Blocking Schedule

Go to the Schedule tab to set recurring blocks for certain times and days when you want sites blocked automatically. For example, you could block social media every weekday from 9am – 5pm.

3. Start a Focus Session

Click the Cold Turkey icon and choose a duration to start a timed blocking session immediately. Common times are 25, 50, or 60 minutes.

4. Lock It Down

For complete blocking, you can set a password on your blocks under Settings. This prevents you from overriding blocks until the time is up.

5. Track Progress

Check the Stats tab to see your total time saved from blocking and feel proud of your productivity!

Tips for Using Cold Turkey Effectively

To get the most out of Cold Turkey, keep these tips in mind:

• Start slowly by just blocking your most distracting sites at first
• Use timer sessions for intense focus periods of 25-60 minutes
• Schedule recurring blocks for consistent times like work hours
• Lock blocks and use random inspections for extra accountability
• Pair it with other productivity methods like Pomodoro technique
• Block apps and extensions too like chat, email, games
• Allow 5-15 minute breaks between blocks to recharge

The Verdict on Cold Turkey

For anyone struggling with distraction and lack of focus, the Cold Turkey Chrome extension is an invaluable tool. It offers unmatched power, ease of use, and customization for blocking digital distractions. With both free and paid versions available, it’s easy to give Cold Turkey a try.

Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself getting pulled down a Reddit rabbit hole far less often. By temporarily blocking access to your go-to distracting sites, Cold Turkey empowers you to minimize wasted time and direct your energy towards meaningful work instead.