I track tasks that contribute to my personal growth and bring me closer to my goals.

Now, it is worth mentioning that some tasks, like organizing your office, can be seen as contributing to growth since an organized environment can impact your overall performance.

However, I don't usually track these tasks.

On a typical day, I might have 8 - 10 timers, which could look like this:

1. Read - 15 min
2. Read - 15 min
3. Meditate - 20 min
4. Music - 30 min
5. Write WSO Copy - 35 min
6. Udemy - 30 min
7. Code - 35 min
8. Code - 35 min

Notes:

• Reading & Meditation/Prayer are essential for me.
• "Code" is a general term, but by this point, I've already planned my day and know which features I'll be working on.

  The same applies to "Music" and any other broad terms I use for task names. Speaking of which, I actually work on creating music for Jesus Christ ✝️ (I sing and write Spanish songs)!

  Check it out: https://youtube.com/aguinaga

• Sometimes I use more specific task names, like "Write WSO Copy."
• I try to learn something new through video tutorials 2 - 3 days a week, and Udemy is my go-to platform.

To answer the question: track activities that directly move you closer to your goals.

Tasks like checking email, cleaning the house, or paying bills may play a role in the bigger picture, but they don't involve actively working towards your goal. Make sense?

The amount of focused work you should aim for can vary depending on your experience and skill level in the task at hand.

According to the research highlighted in the book "Deep Work," the capacity for cognitively demanding, "deep," or focused work changes as you gain more expertise in a particular field.

For beginners, about an hour a day of intense, focused work is often the limit. As you become more skilled and accustomed to the demands of deep work, you can gradually increase that time.

Experts, however, are able to sustain up to four hours of concentrated work, but pushing beyond that is generally not recommended, even for the pros.

So, if you're just starting out with timeboxing or any form of focused work, consider setting your sights on an initial goal of 30 to 60 minutes per day.

As you gain more experience, feel free to stretch that time, keeping in mind that four hours is often the upper limit for even the most dedicated professionals.

Remember, the quality of your focus during these periods is more important than the quantity of time spent. The timeless principle of "quality over quantity" couldn't be more relevant in this situation.

As a side note, don't feel pressured to focus for a full hour or four hours continuously. Even I usually break down my focused work into shorter segments, ranging from 25 to 35 minutes each. Feel free to experiment and find the duration that works best for you.

The 4-Hour Focus Goal: Why It Matters

Committing to just 4 hours of focused work each day can put you leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.

Skeptical?

Studies reveal that the typical office worker is productive for merely 2 hours and 23 minutes each day.

Therefore, by dedicating 4 hours to focused, meaningful work, you elevate yourself from the realm of the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Consider this your ticket out of mediocrity.

You're welcome! 😊

However, if you're just starting out and can only allocate 30 minutes a day, go for it.

Consistently dedicating even just half an hour each day to your side project will still lead to its completion.

That's precisely how I brought FocusMaster™ to life.

I was working full-time as a software developer and I could only spare about 30 minutes to an hour per day. So, I made a commitment to work on it for at least 30 minutes each day, for a minimum of 5 days per week.

Here's How I Timebox:

From Monday to Friday, my goal is to clock in four hours of solid, no-distraction work each day.

This adds up to 20 hours of deep focus per week.

Let's say it's Friday, and I'm two hours short - I've only hit 18 hours.

No biggie, I make up for it over the weekend.

As soon as I've racked up my 20 hours of focused work for the week, I am free to stop counting.

Once I reach my weekly work-hour goal, I try to resist the temptation to keep "clocking in" additional hours, even if it feels good to see the numbers pile up.

Instead, I give myself permission to step away from the clock.

I have found that this simple practice helps me kick off the new week feeling refreshed and ready for more focused, time-tracked work.

However...

My 20-hour “rule” is more like a guideline than a law.

Sure, most weeks I'll stop the clock once I hit that 20-hour mark, but sometimes, life calls for a little more hustle.

For example, when I have a critical project that needs to be finished ASAP, I shift into overdrive, aiming for 30 to 40 hours of intense focus.

This doesn't happen every week, however. For the most part, 20 hours is the sweet spot.

The core message is this: Always Be Experimenting.

This is more than just time-management wisdom; it's a life lesson worth pondering.😉

So, if you're thinking about challenging yourself to log 40 hours in a single week, go right ahead—I'm rooting for you! 😊

In summary...

My Timeboxing strategy is pretty straightforward: my primary goal is to achieve 20 hours of focused work per week.

Once I hit that target, it's more flexible from there.

I often put in a few extra hours over the weekend, although I don't always track them. However, if I want to ensure I am super focused even on weekends, I'll start a timer.

You bet!

TIP 1: It's okay to skip breaks (take breaks only when you really need them).

TIP 2: It's okay to pause the timer. If something interrupts you, just pause the timer and restart it when you are ready to work.

TIP 3: Keep your phone out of reach and out of sight during focus sessions. The best way to beat temptation is to not even give it a chance.

TIP 4: If you work sitting down, invest in a quality office chair.

A wise man once said (I am paraphrasing here), “Always invest in a quality mattress and quality shoes because that's where you'll spend most of your life.”

I am not sure who that wise man was, but I have been buying more expensive shoes since I read his quote.

My point?

If you spend many hours sitting down, it is crucial that you invest in a quality chair. The more comfortable you are, the easier it will be to focus and remain focused. The last thing you want is being distracted because your back hurts.

And there is no need to break the bank, either. You can get a cozy chair for $100 - $200 (I bought mine on Amazon for $120).

TIP 5: Ditch your TV. You'll be amazed how much easier it is to avoid wasting time watching TV when you don't have one.

TIP 6: Keep your digital workspace clean and distraction-free. You'd be surprised at how much your peripheral vision can get distracted. If your goal is to write for 30 uninterrupted minutes, then there's no need to have a YouTube window, or any other distracting app open, competing for your attention.

Here's something interesting...

I believe in this principle so much, that I built it right into FocusMaster™. Each time you start a timer, the app automatically minimizes for you!

Let me share a bit more...

I noticed that I would often click twice before starting work - one click to start the timer, and a second to minimize the app.

Being a fan of efficiency and saving clicks, I programmed it so that the app minimizes automatically, instantly creating a less cluttered digital workspace.

TIP 7: Keep a notepad close during your work sessions.

It can be on your computer or a real one on your desk. If a great idea pops into your head, or you remember something like the book you wanted to read or a grocery item you forgot, jot it down quickly.

Then, you can get right back to work without losing momentum. 💪

Stay tuned for more bite-sized tips coming your way!

Last updated: 9/10/2023