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    Ear Plugs Were Sent From Heaven

    ear plug quiet

    I want to tell you about something that has cost me less than $5.00, but has VASTLY improved my life in many ways:

    • ....they help me write way better.
    • ......they make me feel "in my own world."
    • .........they help me concentrate for long periods of time.
    • ............they calm me down on planes.
    • ................they help me sleep much better.

    This item is not a drug or one of those hippie magnetic bracelets....

    This magical invention is what us mortals know as:

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    EAR PLUGS!

    earplugs.jpg

    Yup....simple old ear plugs help improve my life, and my writing.

    Whenever I write.....I try to "get in my own little world" ...but the distractions of life invariably happen.

    The construction going on outside, the hum of the refrigerator, even silence itself has a distracting quality.

    But with ear plugs in, I feel like I can talk to my brain directly.

    (typing that makes me feel foolish....but you'll see what I mean when you try them).

    They eliminate pretty much all external audio input, and it makes for a really great work environment.  It's an odd feeling at first.

    You roll the ear plugs into a little cylinder, stick them inside your ears, and let them slowly expand.

    As they expand in your ear, you can hear the decibel level of life go

    DDDOOOOooowwwwwwnnnnn......

    And then you're in your own little world.

    A world that's great for writing and for productivity.  And sleeping.

    You should definitely try them.  My personal favorite brand are these little blue ones that reduce noise by 33 decibels:

    heros-plugs.jpg

    The earplugs REALLY work their magic when I'm feeling lazy.  For some reason the switch from "real world" to "Neville's World" changes my mentality and lets me focus more.

     

    Using Ear Plugs for Meditation:

    I'm not super into meditation, but the times I do it, using ear plugs for meditation is a GREAT experience!

    It just "softens" all the noise around me and helps me concentrate better, and the results are pretty great :)

    ear-plugs-for-meditation.jpg

    I honestly think wearing ear plugs when I write gives me a kind of "superpower" that otherwise doesn't happen:

    Ear plug superhero

    So......when you start feeling like a lazy monkey today, why don't you try sticking in some earplugs to help you write creatively or be more productive??

    Use these "magical ear tools" wisely my friend :-)

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    By the way....am I the only insane person who uses these??  Every time I go on a rant about how earplugs are sooooo great, people look at me funny and slowly back away like this:

    homer-backing-away.gif

    Comment below if you use them so I don't feel insane!

     


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    Guest Neville

    Posted

    Anything to cut the outside noise and "get in your head" would work :)
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    I am one step ahead of you dude - Bose Noise cancellation earphones. Makes me forget that time exists sometimes...best buying decision ever!
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    Totally printing and posting on the break room fridge! My staff think I'm nuts apcause I like to wear my muffs while I'm working... Nowntheres proof I'm not the only one, muhahaha.

    CHEERS to the "Silence to Work Revolution" that will surely ensue from this ever timely post *clink glasses*

    liz

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    Guest Disha

    Posted

    Kopywriting tactics and ear-plugs - The deviation is exactly one degree !
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    Guest admin

    Posted

    Bahahaha....this would be hilarious to see in a break room :-)
    Link to comment
    Guest admin

    Posted

    I often wear earplugs while writing, so they're KIIINDDAAA in the same topic thread!
    Link to comment
    Guest Chris

    Posted

    I'm gonna have to try this.

    BTW, the Homer gif also kinda works as a metaphor for the earplugs themselves. Earplugs in – fade into Homerworld.

    Link to comment
    Guest admin

    Posted

    Ohhhhh yea, I never thought about the Homer gif like that!!
    Link to comment
    You are not the only one. I actually had a pair of earbuds I really liked, so when they broke, I just snipped the buds off and kept them as ear plugs. They block out everything without that weird mushiness of normal ear plugs.
    Link to comment
    Glad to know I'm not the only one! I sleep in ear plugs most nights, it was a game changer. I also always put them in on planes, helps me zone out and nap and also prevents people from starting conversations with me (I'm an introvert who does not enjoy partaking in smalltalk... just things of substance like ear plugs.).
    Link to comment
    Guest admin

    Posted

    Hahahah.....you basically have a pair of SUPER EXPENSIVE earplugs :-)
    Link to comment
    Guest admin

    Posted

    Yup....they're pretty awesome for sleep and planes.

    Lol that you use them to shut out other people also :-)

    Link to comment
    Guest Wyatt

    Posted

    I've never used ear plugs, but I have used sound canceling headphones without them being plugged in to anything. Every once in a while a coworker will tap me on the shoulder and ask me what I'm listening to, and when I hold up the plug to show it isn't connected to anything they give me a look like "I don't understand you"

    But for the most part it just looks like I'm listening to some music so people don't interrupt me.

    Link to comment
    Guest Chris

    Posted

    Hey Nev, great topic. When I go to the shooting range, we wear earplugs with the ear protectors and it really does feel like your isolated even when lots of folks are around. Many days I've just left them in on the way home and was way more focused when I got home, less stressed from traffic. Thanks for bringing this up. I couldn't get used to the sleeping with them, but only tried for one day. (Day sleeper.) Also, I think it was Robin who referenced an ambient TV show in the background. This article from Ryan Holiday mentions a similar technique he uses for productive writing. It'd probably work in concert (pun, yeah yeah) with earplugs also. Worth a read.

    http://www.ryanholiday.net/the-guilty-crazy-secret-that-helps-me-write/

    Thanks for all the great stuff Nev. I love when your stuff shows up in the mail. Cheers.

    Link to comment

    Best tip ever! :) Well, there's been a lot of construction going on at my house so this would be perfect. Thanks Neville!

    Cheerios. - Mimi

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    Yeah. I use them. Mostly for sleeping. Especially during this time of year when the cicadas are out. Helps me stay sane.
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    Dude, I used to be in the Navy and had to use earplugs all the time. Imagine all the noise on a ship especially an aircraft carrier I was on. Hey to make you feel normal, I used double ear protection at times, ear plugs plus ear protection headphones. Talk about noise being muffled out. - Hey these are some good articles man, keep it coming!
    Link to comment
    Guest Jeremiah Boehner

    Posted

    I use earplugs all the time, though I haven't tried them for writing. Usually when I want to focus and not be distracted I'll put in my headphone and listen to melodic EDM something with a good tempo but no Vocals. Put's me into the Zone.
    Link to comment

    Wow I never had someone so excited to pitch ear plugs to me... but there is always a first in everything!

    I do have to challenge your claim. As from what I learned on the internet, background noise actually helps you focus better, instead of pure silence, which is why all of these white noise generators are so popular. Have you ever looked into that Neville?

    Tam

    Link to comment
    Guest Neville

    Posted

    Hey Tam, everyone's different in their preferences.

    Background noise is good too, but when I write I PERSONALLY (maybe not everyone) like to tune it out.

    Give them a try!

    Link to comment
    Guest Neville

    Posted

    Bahahahha, I do this sometimes when on the street! I'll be listening to music, but then turn it off to evasdrop ;-)
    Link to comment
    Guest Neville

    Posted

    Thanks Chris (for recommendations and the compliments) :-)

    I personally no longer like ambient TV shows in the background (I used to). I find them distracting when I'm trying to form words in my head, but I'm ALSO hearing words from the TV.

    Link to comment



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