What apps have you used to stay focused?

Question

When I was writing my thesis, I needed all the tools to keep me focused. As a competitive soul, I used the Forest app to stay away from distractions. I used this app with friends to compare (read: compete with) our results

Aino Valtonen · Accepted Answer

I have also used Forest! Phone apps are one of my biggest distractions while studying, so blocking them with Forest is sometimes a saving grace.

I really like the nature sounds that you can play in the background while you focus. And it makes me feel so accomplished when I see all trees that I have "grown" while working :D It's also nice that you can use different color tags to follow how much you have studied or worked.

Anu Varila · Answer

In fact, I just shut down all other apps except the one I have to do things with at the moment :D

Arttu Haho · Answer

I just switch on "do not disturb" mode on my phone and use a pen and notebook to write down my goals :) Start every day with a 5-minute planning session (things I want to accomplish today) and end with a 5-minute reflection session.

Valtteri Ylimäki · Answer

For me, the things distracting my focus time can be both internal and external:

Internal: things popping out of nowhere into my mind. To avoid thinking about these, I use todo-lists. I'm currently using the Things 3 -app for my iPhone and Mac. When something comes to mind, I'll immediately add it to Things and it doesn't distract me anymore.

External: notifications of unnecessary apps. For these issues, I started to use iPhone's Focus Mode recently. When I'm at work, I have work mode on - all the private life apps such as Whatsapp and Instagram are hidden from the home screen, I don't get notifications from those and even the news notifications are set to be more work-related. And when I come home, my phone automatically hides Slack, mail, calendar etc. and brings back my personal apps :)

So, my short answer would be "Things 3 and iPhone Focus Mode".

Aki-Petteri Hokkanen · Answer

YouTube focus music 😂

Aleksi Halsas · Answer

SelfControl is a great app. Really recommend it if you dont have any or have only minimal selfcontrol. Atleast works great for me.

Adraina Agyei · Answer

@anu_varila That's a good one! :D

Anu Varila · Answer

@adraina_a Thanks :D

Sini Katariina · Answer

@aleksi_halsas1 I should test that!

Adraina Agyei · Answer

@srishty_chaudhary Forest app is a focus timer for productivity. When you set yourself a timer using the app to stay focused, once you have reached your goal, the app rewards you. The more timers you set your self the more trees you plant in your garden.

Erica Y · Answer

@aino_v Forest is my go-to as well!

Laura Partanen · Answer

@adraina_a @anu_varila I actually do this same thing when I have to focus on one thing only :D

Allison · Answer

I use my own app (thesidekick.app) to stay focused. I use it to block distracting websites (sorry Netflix and Twitter) and time block pomodoro sessions.

Forgive me for the shameless plug, but it's actually true haha 😂.

Adraina Agyei · Answer

@kapatalas Yes! Very true!

Sini Katariina · Answer

My "app" is a tomato-timer, 25 min timer to focus on one task, then 5 minutes break. But usually I get on flow mode within that 25 min so I do not keep the break :D With school work, I use Microsoft's to-do list or just paper and pencil.

I also have separate phones for work and personal life, which I recommend for everyone. During the working day, I rarely use my own phone or try to keep it quiet if there is no need to take care of something personal. Sometimes I use it if I take a break.

What apps have you used to stay focused?

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