Using Focus

The beauty of Focus lies in its simplicity. Not only is it incredibly lightweight in the size and power it takes up, but it rests nicely in your menubar.

It's effortless to set up, it loads up in the blink of an eye, and you get access to multiple features that help you supercharge your productivity.

Focus Can Be Used The Second It's Installed

Focus can be used immediately when you download and install the app, whether you have a paid license or are using it for the 7-day trial.

Focus can be a very simple app to use, or it can be a complex distraction-blocking powerhouse that takes your concentration to the next level.

How To Start Using The Focus App

Ready to block all online distractions and start working? Simply click the Focus icon in the menubar located on the top right.

You will be presented with the following menu:

You can choose to turn on the app and start blocking distractions for a preset amount of time by clicking Focus for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour.

You can also click Custom focus to have the app run for a specific time. If you click this button, you will be presented with the following menu:

Simply use the up and down arrows to dictate the number of hours and minutes you would like the app to keep distractions blocked.

When you are finished working, you will be able to deactivate the app and stop all blocking activities by clicking on the Focus icon in the menubar and selecting Unfocus:

Power Users Can Customize A Keyboard Shortcut For Using Focus

Are you somebody who lives and dies by the keyboard, only using the mouse in emergency situations?

We got you covered. Focus gives you the option to program a keyboard shortcut for using the application as you wish.

To access this feature, click the Focus menubar icon, click Preferences, select the Other tab and then click on the Hotkey textbox:

You'll be able to maintain the flow state without having to disrupt your working stride. To learn more about this feature, please see the Global Hotkey page.

Focus Is The Best Pomodoro Timer App For The Serious Productivity Enthusiast

Fans of the tried-and-true 25:5 time boxing method will find that Focus fits in perfectly with their workflow.

Focus allows you to enter "Pomodoro mode", in which the app will automatically loop between 25 minutes of distraction-free work and 5 minutes of rest until you choose to stop the loop.

To access this feature, click the Focus menubar icon, click Preferences and then leave the box next to Pomodoro mode checked off:

To learn more about how to do this, please see the Pomodoro Timer page.

Let Focus Automatically Schedule Periods Of Deep, Distraction-Free Work

Using the Focus app, you can choose to have the app activate its distraction-blocking powers at any time and day of the week for as long as you want.

You can schedule Focus to work on weekdays only, weekends, every day, or specific days of the week. The 24-hour scheduling availability allows you to work as an early bird or a night owl.

To access this feature, click the Focus menubar icon, click Preferences and then click on the Schedule icon:

Please see the Scheduling Focus page for more information on advanced customization options.

Use The "Hardcore Mode" Setting In Focus To Guarantee Complete Elimination Of All Online (And Offline) Distractions

You have an impossible deadline coming up and it's going to take 120% of your mental focus and energy to meet it.

Internet distractions have sucked up all your willpower and you can't work for more than 5 minutes without opening up Facebook.

This special feature locks down your distraction-blocking preferences (scheduling, timers, etc.) for good once you activate Focus.

BE CAREFUL! Once you do this, there's no turning back until the timer stops. You cannot quit the app, use a different browser or even restart your computer to stop the app from running before the pre-set timer/schedule expires.

To access this feature, click the Focus menubar icon, click Preferences and then leave the box next to Hardcore Mode checked off:

Please see the Hardcore Mode page for more information on how this feature works.

Have A Friend Input An Unknown Password Into The Focus App To Stop Yourself From Making Changes

Like the old song goes, "I get by with a little help from my friends".

Have a close friend enter a password that only he knows about (NO PEEKING!). You will not be able to make any changes to the Preferences panel unless your friend re-enters that password.

To access this feature, click the Focus menubar icon, click Preferences and check off the box next to Password mode:

You will then be prompted to enter a password, after which you will click Lockdown Focus.

For more information about this advanced setting, please see the Password Mode page.

Focus Can Block As Many Distracting Websites As You Want

Want to customize an entire list of annoying websites you want out of your way while trying to get the important things done?

Focus allows you to add and remove websites that will be blocked once the application is activated.

To access this feature, click the Focus menubar icon, click Preferences and then click on the Blocking tab:

For more information on the customizations available with blocking websites, please see the URL Blocking page.

Focus Allows You To Take A Break When Needed

Once in a while, we deserve to have a little break for our hard work. But not too long of a break - we don't want to start procrastinating with distractions again!

Focus allows you to set limits on how long your breaks are, and how often they occur.

To access this feature, click the Focus menubar icon, click Preferences and check off the box next to Break mode:

You'll be able to choose how long each break lasts, and the time interval you will have between breaks.

With Break mode turned on, you will be able to click on the Focus icon in the menubar and see the following menu:

NOTE: This option will be unavailable to you if you have pre-set the app to enable Hardcore Mode.

If you have Break Mode enabled, you can take a 5-minute break from blocking distractions, simply select Take 5 minute break.

You may also select Custom break, and the following menu will pop up:

NOTE: If you do not have Break Mode enabled, you will not see either Take 5 minute break or Custom break options when you click on the Focus menubar icon.

For more information on using this feature to the fullest, please see the Breaks page.