Focus sessions not time: How I get more done in shorter time…
Lately, I’ve realized — I’ve been way more productive. It’s kind of surprising, but after some reflection, I’ve realized that there’s this little change that made a big difference. Instead of thinking about “time,” I started calling it “focus sessions.” All has been working since. Let me share with you how I did this —
Before, whenever I had a task to work on, I used to set a specific timeframe for it. So, let’s say I wanted to complete a section of a landing page, like the testimonials section, I would tell myself —
“I’ll finish the testimonials section in one hour.”
The thing is, using specific timeframes for my tasks didn’t quite work out for me. I wasn’t accomplishing most of what I set out to do. So, I made a little tweak. I replaced “time” with “focus session.”
Now, instead of saying, “Finish the testimonials section in one hour,” I simply tell myself,
“Finish the testimonials section in one focus session.”
But what is a focus session? Well, I made sure to define this clearly to avoid any confusion. Here’s the simple gist:
“A focus session is a dedicated stretch of time where I commit to completing one task without any distractions.”
Then, I had to answer —
What do I need to get into a focus session?
I had to be straight up about this before moving forward. Why? If something isn’t clearly stated, it often doesn’t get done. So, what are the prerequisites for a successful focus session?
Have just 1 task I want to solve
Trying to juggle multiple tasks all at once is a real focus killer. Whenever I found myself switching between tasks, I had to sacrifice a bit of my concentration. So I simplified. In each of my focus sessions, I have just one task that I want to tackle. I give it my undivided attention for the entire duration. No distractions, no multitasking — just me and that task.
Have only what is necessary around me
When I’m deciding what to keep on my desk, I ask — “Will this stuff come in handy when solving this task?” If I don’t get an absolute “yes,” I keep it off my table. If I do, I make sure it’s within arm’s reach. This way I prevent clutter and have just what I need
Put my mobile phone where I can’t see it
One of my greatest temptations has to be the mobile phone. I don’t think I am very disciplined; what I do is set myself up so I don’t have to depend on discipline. This is exactly what I do with my phone. I stash it somewhere I know it won’t disturb me.
Keep a timer
This is absolutely critical. I need a clear time to start and stop. It adds structure and a sense of urgency to my sessions. My go-to app for this purpose is TickTick, where I use the Pomodoro technique. A typical focus session lasts for 50 mins of focused work with a 10 mins break between each session. Go for whatever setting works for you.
Find a comfortable sitting position
I will be staying in this position for 50 mins at a go. So I do myself a favor and find a comfortable sitting position. A small investment in a better table and chair can go a long way.
Play some music
It is not news that music can help focus. Personally, I find songs without lyrics very helpful in this case. Lofi, classical music always hit the spot. This is a personal preference though [I know people who tend to get distracted by any form of music]
To summarize…
I get more done quickly and efficiently when I work in focus. Here are some ways I get into this—
- Have just 1 task I want to solve
- Have only what is necessary around me
- Put my mobile phone where I can’t see it
- Keep a timer
- Find a comfortable sitting position
- Play some music
