"But I realized that rather than avoiding YouTube altogether, I could reshape how I use it. So I did just that: I put certain rules around it, stopped clicking around, and, while still using the same videos, it quickly stopped feeling like a temptation. YouTube is now part of my workspace, and I don't have to juggle several productivity apps."
"This meant a shift in mindset from viewing videos as things to listen to while I work to the actual room I work in. But this only works if I listen to long, slow videos where much isn't really happening. Here are a few that fit: I'm not watching these videos as I typically would, but just allowing them to sit there slightly out of focus."
YouTube can function as a dedicated work environment rather than background noise. Long, slow videos with minimal action create consistent audiovisual environments that cue the brain to enter work mode. Playing the same videos during work sessions builds familiarity akin to opening an office door, facilitating quick transitions into focused states. Setting rules to avoid clicking and treating videos as places reduces temptation and eliminates the need for multiple productivity apps. Using video progression and visuals as implicit timers replaces strict countdowns, helping the user sense time passing while staying immersed in tasks regardless of physical location.
Read at MUO
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