I started with short intervals and gradually built up to 90-minute and sometimes longer focus sessions (which I wouldn’t recommend for everyone). For most people, 20 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break is a great entry point. It’s simple, low-tech, and surprisingly effective at training your brain to lock in.
Starting with just 5 minutes is good advice. For anyone just beginning (like the OP), don’t worry if it feels tough, that’s normal. Just like building physical endurance, mental focus takes repetition and consistency. Stick with it, and it gets easier.
Focus on a topic or multiple topics
Break down it or them into more specific topics
Think about every specific topics
Break down a specific topic into more little specific topics if necessary
Sometime you need to move and combine them
So you just need the better ways of thinking and some tools to help you in the process.
Close unused apps
Focus on the current work, and open the useful apps for it only
- Change the environment completely Go outside for a walk
Ride a bike
Go to a quiet place, e.g. Library
- Improve your workflow Thinking (at least the rough outline and flow) is the first before any work.
If you have a clear overview of your work, you know how to do it and what work to do,
and your mind will focus on them.
Thinking while walking, riding, etc.
Write the results of your thinking
cebert•1d ago
jenever•1d ago
TheMongoose•1d ago
jenever•1d ago
TheMongoose•1d ago
cebert•1d ago
As a software engineer, I excessively complicated the use of productivity tools. It got to a point where the tools were more of a burden than a help. Consequently, I’ve transitioned to using paper more frequently, as it remains accessible and less complicated. This practice has become my preferred method for tracking tasks and notes. Daily, I reevaluate my goals and tasks, and I rewrite those that are worth retaining on a new list.
TheMongoose•1d ago