That’s why in this entry we have gathered a small collection of apps and utilities to help you focus and avoid distractions whenever you need to get things done on your Mac. Ready to learn about them? Then read on!
1. Time Out
While most of the time our productivity will suffer from external distractions, there are times when it actually can be hindered by overworking. For times like these, nothing is better than to take a break and take some space from your current project for a few minutes. That is exactly what Time Out for Mac does. It provides you with a much needed break every few minutes depending on how you set up the app. It does so by slowly placing a semi-transparent layer on top of everything you are doing. But it also lets you both postpone the break or even skip it entirely. Time Out’s settings allow for tremendous flexibility when scheduling your breaks as well, so it is definitely an app you want to check out if you want a simple and customizable way to take breaks.
2. SelfControl
For those of us that get easily distracted and don’t mind more drastic methods, SelfControl fits the bill. This small open source app allows you to block not only the web, but even your mail servers, so you don’t get distracted by untimely messages. And it does so in a very drastic way. Once you edit your blacklisted websites and set your desired break time, all you need to do is click the Start button on the app and SelfControl will lock you out of the entire web, with nothing you can do about it. It doesn’t matter if you restart your Mac or even if you delete the app, you won’t be able to access the web until the time you selected is over. Definitely a harsh but effective approach.
3. Focus Booster
The Focus Booster app makes use of the Pomodoro technique to help you focus. This technique involves breaking up your work into 25-minute sessions, which in turn are separated by short breaks. This helps you keep constant, high levels of concentration to achieve all your goals faster. Focus Booster takes the best of this technique and turns it into an elegant and simple app. Adjust the session and break length in the apps settings and you are good to go. Additionally, you can sign into the app’s website to have more personalized options, as well as having the choice to access a paid subscription to keep track of all your working sessions. There you go. Make sure to get the app you like the most and give it a try the next time you sit in front of your Mac. You might save many hours in the process. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
