TIMED SESSIONS
Have you tried Applied Focus?
Applied Focus is a tactic to help you increase your productivity.
I wanted to try it out to see if it would increase my productivity. My journey began with using the tips and strategies of the Pomodoro Technique. The Applied Focus technique is similar, but the timed sessions are longer.
Here is how it works:
- Each session is 45 minutes long, with a 15-minute shift in focus.
- A 90-minute session is followed by a 30-minute shift in focus.
Ninety minutes seemed a bit too much for me, so I went with the lesser amount.
The guidelines include:
1. Prepare ahead of time to allow your subconscious to do the task. That way you’re able to concentrate on the task alone.
2. Only one browser or application window can be opened at a time.
3. Time the sessions. Stop at the end of the session.
4. Walk away from your task once completed. Move around and drink water or eat a snack.
5. Schedule separate sessions for email, telephone and social media time.
It’s going to take time to get used to.
You can start by scheduling one or two sessions a day. If you notice an improvement in concentration and productivity, then do it more often.
What did I do?
I scheduled my first task and commitment to emails. Since I could only focus on one task at a time, choosing emails would force me to clean up my inbox. I have over four email accounts with quite a few thousand unread messages.
Reading emails was the easy part.
It was difficult to stop focusing on the messages during the shift focus period. That is when you’re supposed to take a break.
I wanted to reply or click links within the messages at the end of the session. Shifting focus from the emails to something completely unrelated required focus.
That shift focus period is intense. You know that there is something that needs your attention but you can’t address it until the shift period has ended.
Maintaining focus without distractions is hard
Phone calls were out. Texting and Facebook were also off-limits.
Focus is so important for me as I age. Sometimes it feels as if I have ADHD.
My favorite thing to do while online is to read the latest news.
While doing a task, I sometimes click over to Huff Post or Google News. Then, after a few minutes in, I’ll think of something unrelated and search for more information about it. And before you know it, I’ve spent a couple of hours down a path that I didn’t initially start on.
Don’t blame it on the Internet.
It is only a tool that gets misused by most of us. I blame it on having too many tools at our disposal on a regular basis.
How did we get by with only three network television channels? Now, we have hundreds of channels that most people don’t know exist.
We used to have daily newspapers delivered to our doorstep. Radio shows kept our imaginations working.
Now with social media, opinions are available within seconds and pushed onto our digital devices for immediate consumption.
What we have now is a situation that is only going to continue to increase distractions.
Removing distractions and creating a comfortable environment fit with increased productivity. It is how I work now.
Having Post-it notes all over my desk adds to clutter in the brain. It is time for a change.
Eating healthy and nutritious foods keeps the brain strong to concentrate. Include regular exercise routines to your schedule. Take time to enjoy family and nature.
Focus on one task for a set amount of time.
Become more productive in a shorter amount of time.
Finish one task before moving on.
Applied Focus requires focusing.
