Here are some of the best tools for staying focused – mainly suggested by course students (thank you!).
If you have a tool that you use and think will be helpful to others, please share it in the comments below and we will add it to the list!
Note – We are simply listing resources here and are not affiliated with anything listed below.
Websites and apps:
Freedom – Block distracting websites and apps across all your devices
Leechblock – Block distracting websites on your browser
Forest – App that encourages you to put down your phone
Toggl – Time tracking and project planning
Timeular – Effortless time tracking
Brain.fm – Music to improve focus
Evernote – Best tool for digital note taking
Books:
Good Work if You Can Get It: How to Succeed in Academia
The War of Art: Break through blocks and win inner creative battles
The Machine that Changed the World: Book on lean manufacturing (suggested in lesson on workflows)
Indistractable – How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life
Work the System – The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less
Raising Humans in a Digital World by Diana Graber
Drawing on the right side of the brain by Betty Edwards (suggested in lesson on high-quality leisure activities for those interested in learning to draw)
Tricks and tips:
Digital wellbeing – Keep your Android device usage in check
Screen time – Keep your Apple device usage in check
Turn off “Autoplay” in Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and other streaming services
Play white noise for focusing in noisy environments
Turn your smartphone into a dumb phone
Why you should make your phone greyscale
Make your Android phone greyscale
Articles:
On Running an Office Like a Factory by Cal Newport
WorkingMemory.txt (The Most Important Productivity Tool) by Cal Newport
Making intentions concrete – Trigger-Action Planning
How to balance learning and doing by Josh Spectre
Churchill as a bricklayer by Churchill society
Complete Guide to Working Memory by Jakub Jilek and Scott Young. A nearly book-length guide to one of the most important topics in the science of attention.
Podcasts:
Deep questions with Cal Newport
Devices:
Palm phone
Sony Noise cancelling headphones
Bose Noise cancelling headphones
Movies and programs:
The Social Dilemma (Film)
Jordan Peterson’s Future Authoring (Program) – Become your ideal self