Focus and Productivity Tools

I stumble after the smallest breath of air which slips out of my reach and into a field. Each blade of grass cleverly disguised amongst the fog. Focus. Focus. Focus. How am I supposed to focus on a strand of wind in the ominous fog?

I’ve written about my writing struggles and writer’s block before, but things have changed slightly since then. I still use similar methods to resolve my writer’s block, but those methods are hard to apply when distracted or unfocused. Feeling unproductive makes me feel unproductive. But as of now, I use the “all-or-nothing” method when writing.

Basically, if I’m distracted, knowing that I have something that needs to get done but am stalling or unfocused makes the task worse. (Even if said task is enjoyable to me or something I choose to attempt.) To me, “all-or-nothing” means I either put my head in my writing and run until my brain can’t run any longer, or I take a break to take a breather. That can include focusing on other work or listening to music, basically anything enjoyable that will put my mind at ease before I’m ready to write again.

There are many productivity apps I can use to make my mind feel clearer. Once I’ve set timers and limits for myself to work within, I feel more willing to get work done. And once I’ve set goals and tasks for me to complete daily, I feel more prepared for the next day. Some apps I use quite often for productivity include Flora and Tangerine.

Flora sets a timer and a limit on my device so I can work within that time without getting distracted by said devices. If I can finish my work and stay focused during that time, I’ll earn a digital flower or tree. But if I do manage to click out of the app, in a few seconds it will kill my tiny tree. And I care tremendously for that tiny tree. Not to mention, the plants originate from different countries and regions Flora can teach you about.

Tangerine helps me set daily goals and track my moods. Too often do days fade into each other, I can’t keep track of the days when every day is so similar. Tangerine helps me set reasonable goals that I can clear with a swipe. As absurd as it seems, the celebratory confetti that streaks down my phone fills me with a sense of relief and achievement. I suppose it’s the psychological reasoning or increase in dopamine levels that make fulfilling small tasks satisfying.

Using my previous analogy, a tangerine fruit and tiny tree can (apparently) help redirect my focus.

How peculiar.

Regardless, I reach forward in the fog, but I can’t do it alone. But then again, I’m not meant to do this alone. Certain apps exist for a reason, it’s just up to me to use them properly. And you’ll find the results of finishing work within a time limit or achieving a goal at the end of the day are astounding.