One of the most, if not the most effective ways for me to focus on a particular task is to open Paint (on Windows) write in one word what I’m doing right now, e.g. “complexity” for an online course on complexity I’m taking and leave it like this on the side of my screen (or on the second screen), to always be in my field of view, but not interfere with anything.
This creates a really weird effect that whenever I want to get distracted by something automatically and almost completely effortlessly tells my mind to focus on the task instead, and doesn’t let me get distracted.
Can anybody check how well it generalises for them?
I’m not sure how is this relevant to my comment. I do use Complice for what you’re describing, but the gist of my comment is that the need for the reminder of “single task doing right now” to be in the field of view, lest it’s not getting forgotten.
I thought you were looking for related task focus strategies. My mistake.
field of view
I have not found the need for the instruction to be in the field of view. I don’t imagine very much of an impact if I were to place it in my field of view. I would rather use as much of my field of view as possible for the task at hand, but I will try it and get back to you.
So I tried using this function and it’s way too cluttered and distracting for me, so I guess the answer is no. The purity of Paint turned out to be pretty important.
One of the most, if not the most effective ways for me to focus on a particular task is to open Paint (on Windows) write in one word what I’m doing right now, e.g. “complexity” for an online course on complexity I’m taking and leave it like this on the side of my screen (or on the second screen), to always be in my field of view, but not interfere with anything.
This creates a really weird effect that whenever I want to get distracted by something automatically and almost completely effortlessly tells my mind to focus on the task instead, and doesn’t let me get distracted.
Can anybody check how well it generalises for them?
look into something called a kanban board. Consider segments of:
“tasks to do”
“single task doing now”
“single next task”
“tasks awaiting external imput”
“completed tasks”
Where a task X seems hard, break it down into smaller tasks, (task of break X down to smaller tasks)
As a bonus: make an estimate of how long each task will take. After completing—compare your predicting ability and update your time-guess methods.
I’m not sure how is this relevant to my comment. I do use Complice for what you’re describing, but the gist of my comment is that the need for the reminder of “single task doing right now” to be in the field of view, lest it’s not getting forgotten.
I thought you were looking for related task focus strategies. My mistake.
I have not found the need for the instruction to be in the field of view. I don’t imagine very much of an impact if I were to place it in my field of view. I would rather use as much of my field of view as possible for the task at hand, but I will try it and get back to you.
That’d be awesome!
update: it didn’t do much for me. need to try a few more times.
Doesn’t complice have this exact feature?
Almost. It doesn’t have “tasks awaiting external input” section :)
I meant, doesn’t Complice have the “single task doing right now” function?
So I tried using this function and it’s way too cluttered and distracting for me, so I guess the answer is no. The purity of Paint turned out to be pretty important.
Oh.