Custom Nudge Messages: Your Personal Focus Reminders

The Power of a Well-Timed Reminder

When Solo Media blocks a distracting element, it doesn't just show a blank space. Instead, you see a "nudge message"—a gentle reminder to help you make a conscious choice.

The default messages are good, but custom messages are transformative. Here's why and how to create your own.

Why Custom Nudges Work Better

Generic reminders like "Stay focused!" are easy to ignore. But a message that speaks directly to your goals cuts through:

• "You wanted to finish Chapter 3 before lunch"
• "Remember: Your side project won't build itself"
• "Take a walk instead. Your eyes need a break."

These personal reminders create a moment of reflection. Sometimes that's all you need to close the tab and get back to work.

Types of Effective Nudges

Goal-Oriented

Connect the moment to what you're trying to accomplish:

• "Finish the project first, scroll later"
• "30 minutes of deep work, then reward time"
• "Every minute here is a minute away from your goals"

Time-Awareness

Help yourself realize how time adds up:

• "5 minutes becomes 50. Close this tab."
• "You came here 10 minutes ago. Time to move on."
• "Is this how you want to spend the next hour?"

Self-Compassion

Sometimes you need kindness, not discipline:

• "Take a deep breath. You're doing great."
• "It's okay to take a real break instead"
• "What would help you feel energized right now?"

Question-Based

Prompts that make you think before clicking:

• "Do you need this right now?"
• "What are you avoiding?"
• "Will scrolling solve the problem?"

How to Add Custom Nudges

Creating custom messages takes 2 minutes:

• Click the Solo Media icon
• Go to "Nudge Messages"
• Click "Add Custom Message"
• Type your message and save

Messages are shown randomly when you encounter blocked content. The free plan includes 10 custom nudges. Pro users get unlimited.

Tips for Great Nudges

• Be specific - "Finish the proposal" beats "work on stuff"
• Use "you" language - Makes it feel personal
• Keep it under 15 words - Quick to read, easy to absorb
• Update regularly - As your goals change, so should your nudges
• Mix tones - Some motivating, some questioning, some compassionate

See What Works

After a week of using custom nudges, check your analytics. You'll see how often you encounter blocks and how often you close the tab versus pausing. This data helps you understand which messages actually work for you.

The best nudge is the one that makes you pause and think. Start with 3-5 messages and refine from there.