Focus Timer: Your Guide to Staying on Task and Doing More Deep Work

The LifeTab Focus Timer is a feature that turns your new tab page into a focus workspace, displaying the tasks you want to concentrate on for a set period. It's designed to help you do more deep work and create a distraction-free environment right in your browser. Here's how to set it up and use it effectively:

Quick Start Guide

1. Start a session by clicking on the "Start Session" button on the focus timer card on your ‘Today’ page

2. Configure your session duration and select the tasks you want to focus on

3. Start your focus session

4. Review your session summary and track your progress

Understanding the Focus Timer

Key Features

1. Customisable Sessions: Set your ideal focus duration

2. Task Integration: Link your focus sessions to specific tasks

3. Distraction-Free Environment: Replaces your new tab page with a focused workspace that displays only your selected tasks and the time remaining.

4. Session Controls: Pause, extend, or end sessions as needed

5. Progress Tracking: See the time spent in deep work each day

How to Use the Focus Timer

Starting a Session

There are two ways to start a focus session:

1. Hover over a task and click the focus session icon

2. Click the "Start Session" button in the Focus Timer card on your dashboard

Configuring Your Session

1. Set Duration:

   • Default is 25 minutes (this can be customised in settings)

   • Use (+) and (-) buttons to adjust in 5-minute increments

   • Choose from preset durations or type in a custom time

2. Select Tasks:

   • Choose at least one task to focus on during your session

   • You can add multiple tasks if needed

3. Start Your Session: Click "Start session" to launch your deep work session

During Your Focus Session

Your new tab page will transform to show:

• Current focus session number

• Selected task(s)

• Time remaining

• Session controls

Available controls:

• Add or subtract time

• Pause/Break

• End Session

• Minimize timer

• Reset timer

Ending Your Session

When your timer ends or you choose to end the session you'll see a summary screen that displays

• Session number for that day

• Time spent focused

• Completed and uncompleted tasks

You will have the options to:

• Add more time

• Close the session

• Start a new session

Tracking Your Progress

On the Today page, the Focus Timer card shows your total focused time for the day. This allows you to quickly gauge your progress and stay motivated. (We have plans to add more tracking features to the Focus Timer, you can learn more in the ‘Upcoming Features’ section below.)

Customising Your Focus Timer

Go to the Focus Timer settings to adjust:

1. Default Duration: Set your preferred session length (e.g., 25 minutes)

2. Timer Increment: Choose how much time to add/subtract with (+) and (-) buttons (e.g., 5 minutes)

3. Timer Complete Sound: Select a sound to signal the end of your session

Tips for Effective Use

1. Start Small: Begin with shorter sessions and gradually increase as you build your focus muscle

2. Prepare: Before you start your session, make sure you are prepared to work uninterrupted. Turn your phone on do not disturb mode, get a glass of water, and do anything else you think will help you zone in for the focus time you’ve set.

3. Be Realistic: Choose tasks that fit within your session duration

4. Build a Deep Work Habit: Make focused sessions a daily priority. These concentrated blocks of time are your opportunity to produce your best work and work towards your most important goals. Treat them as non-negotiable appointments with yourself

5. Combine with the Site Blocker: For maximum focus, use alongside LifeTab's Site Blocker feature

Upcoming Features

We have some additions to the Focus Timer that we’re excited about adding in the future. These include:

1. Daily and weekly goals: Set specific targets for your deep work sessions, to help

2. Dedicated focus timer reports age: Get deeper insights into your productivity patterns with detailed reports and visualisations.

3. Project-based time tracking: See how much time you've spent working on different projects, allowing for better time management and project planning.

4. Adding manual focus time: If deep work isn’t tracked, did it even happen? Of course! We’ll let you manually add time spent in deep work so that your stats accurately reflect reality.

5. Chimes: Choose a sound to play at regular intervals during your deep work session to gently remind you to stay on task.

Embrace Focus in a Distracted World

In a world where the internet can be an endless source of distraction, the Focus Timer is your ally in doing more of what truly matters. It's here to help you carve out dedicated time for your most important work and help you stay on track. Why not give it a try today? You might be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you're truly focused. Start small, be consistent, and watch as you build a powerful habit of deep, meaningful work.