Ask HN: How do you create pockets of focus time?

[ishan_chhabra]

Being able to focus for extended periods is critical to doing great work. Are there any practical tips / habits that work for you to create pockets of focus time?

Cal Newport's book "Deep work" dives into the importance of blocks of focus time: http://calnewport.com/books/deep-work/

[tushartyagi]

I've tried a lot of different time slots and so far only two have worked for me:

1. Wake up 1.5hr earlier than my family. This gives me around 1.15hrs of solid focused time.

The downside is, of course, I have to sleep around 10 so the family time takes a hit. I have to leave early from office to compensate and if there's something that holds me back in office then there's a high chance this plan derails. I try my best to juggle work, self-time and family time and while it's not impossible, it sometimes becomes difficult. Last one week, for example, was such where I had a lot of issues at work, and fixing them and reaching home would mean I'll be back around 9.30PM and I had absolutely no interest in rising early.

2. Reach office an hour or so early and try to focus. I say try because there are things which are out of my control, especially the traffic. If there's bad traffic then reaching office and getting into a focused mode takes a lot of time.

Evenings I've tried working but this isn't consistent. Sometimes when the office is empty and most of my office work is done, I might get some time for focused work but this is pretty impossible to get. By the time I reach home, I have to swim through a lot of traffic so there's hardly any mental cycles left that I can spend on focused work.

Additionally, I would say that it works best when your focused time is same everyday. For me, that has been waking up early.

[ishan_chhabra]

The two highlights of your comment for me:

1. Morning time is easier to focus as one has more will power earlier in the day and reduced distraction from family/work.

2. Routine / consistency is key.

Thanks for an elaborate description of your experiments Tushar.

[kirubakaran]

Try this: https://deepwork.me/

[tushartyagi]

This is really impressive. Thanks for posting it.

This website tells the truth when it says that following the deep work ritual is a pain. I've read the book and wholeheartedly agree with whatever Cal Newport says, but so far planning my day has been the most difficult thing to do, especially when I have to update it after the planning derails. I keep jumping between planning my on my computer using org-mode or planning it on paper. So far, nothing has stuck.

I'll give this website shot for some time.

[sotojuan]

This was a problem I had with the book. Newport is a tenured professor - he can do what he wants when he wants. I can sort of get deep work time done but it’s not always at the same time or as long as I plan it to be.

[clubm8]

This is iOS specific but putting my phone in airplane mode + do not disturb (to block pop ups from Signal) then putting on some instrumental music works wonders. I'm a fan of Tycho and Emancipator.

[zn44]

Starting early, I used to start the day around 10. For two months now I get up around 6am and have focus time between 7-10am. Works great

[laurentl]

Noise-canceling headphones + focus at will (www.focusatwill.com) to get into a productive zone and stay in it.