How do you focus?

annagiuliam

As for many other freelancers working from home, sometimes it is not easy to stay focused for long periods. I often found myself scrolling social media and replying messages. Or staring outside.

Then I got to know the pomodoro technique: you focus for 25 minutes, then take 5 minutes break and repeat for 4 times, and then take a 20 minutes break.
Well, this really works for me! I downloaded a very easy app on my phone that keeps track of focus time and breaks. When I start working I start the app (there are many to choose from), switch off all sounds from phone and PC and I'm ready to go.

I'm actually accomplishing much more since I'm using this technique, plus the app keeps track of the time I spend on each task, like 2 hours on project X, 1 hour marketing, etc.

And what about you? Do you have it difficult to stay focused? Do you use the pomodoro technique or other methods?

Dmitry

annagiuliam Do you have it difficult to stay focused? Do you use the pomodoro technique or other methods?

Focus is always a problem for me, especially when I need to do some dreadful tasks like accounting or sales (don't get me wrong, sales are exciting but they're very exhausting and you need to be ok with the fact that 95% of your work will always go to waste).

I use Toggle to track time and it helps me to stay focused. I mentally allocate how much time I want to spend on stuff and just start doing it until the timer runs out. ?

eleonorang

annagiuliam It's totally difficult to stay focused! I've turned to the Pomodoro technique as well, in fact, I've also set up the Strict Workflow Chrome extension that applies the Pomodoro principle in a 'strict' way: by blocking all social media websites and similar until you reach your break. It's easy to customize as you can decide the focus time duration, the break duration as well as add custom websites to the list of sites you want to block during work.

But sometimes I even fail at switching the Strict Workflow on, or just check out the blocked sites and apps from my phone, especially when I'm not really conscious that what I'm doing hinders my productivity and threatens the quality of my work... which is why I started a Mindfulness course ? To become more aware of every moment I get to live, to live it fully and properly, to be always thinking with my head and not being distracted by random thoughts, as well as taking advantage of every minute to get my work done as best as I can.

alyonaxl8

I don't have a problem with focusing on a task. What's hard for me is to actually start. I just don't seem to have any willpower to stop procrastinating. It's a never-ending battle. Oh well...

MaV

alyonaxl8 What's hard for me is to actually start.

This!
Then, I get the opposite problem, knowing when to turn off my brain from an unfinished task and wait for the next day.

JesicaMiotti

I use the Pomodoro technique too.

alyonaxl8

MaV Then, I get the opposite problem, knowing when to turn off my brain from an unfinished task and wait for the next day.

Yes! It's difficult to close the window and call it a day ?

ninadepalma

Pomodoro for me, too!

coveredweb

It's hard to start for me too. After I start, I only take random breaks for coffee and food. But it's easier to stay focused late at night, when there are no distractions.

annagiuliam

eleonorang or just check out the blocked sites and apps from my phone

LOL, there's always a way around!

You're right, these apps do help, but in the end it's always up to us to maintain our self-discipline.

I must admit though, that putting my phone on don't disturb an turning the pomodoro timer on really helps me forget about social media and stuff. I know I'll be able to check them later during my 5 minutes break. Which is ending now, so, see you later!