Given the popularity of site-blocking apps like SelfControl, Freedom etc, yes, many people do need help with this. I don't use them, but I go through quite wide swings between ignoring many distractions to get work done to having trouble getting work done because of all the distractions (just plotting my HN comments alone would probably yield a nice sinusoidal wave).

And I absolutely use a choice of work space to help mediate this. When I used to freelance I had to get out of my apartment and work at a coffee shop to really start my day. Now I often have days where it's fine to work from home, but when I find myself completely distracted from work while at home I go into the office because it's just slightly less acceptable to be goofing off all the time there, and that's just the nudge I need to get into my work for the day.

>what's stopping me from opening up news or playing video games? //

Presumably nothing so long as your performance levels are maintained within the expected parameters. To my mind that's better, goal focussed rather than time focussed.

On the flip side there's probably nothing stopping you from waking up at 2am and doing some productive work for your employer then either.

Busywork shouldn't be the goal. Busywork is what is given to children when the adults don't want to deal.

> Being an adult. Really, do you require a baby sitter to keep you busy?

Please don't be personally rude on HN.

You're posting on a forum with a "noprocrast" setting, designed to block the user at his/her own request.

No, most of us can't fully control ourselves on everything, which is why we set up systems that help us. A shared office is one such a system.