Focus Blocks - Time-Boxed Deep Work
Focus Blocks: Your Secret Weapon for Deep Work ⏰
Focus Blocks are scheduled time commitments that help you dedicate uninterrupted time to what matters most - your initiatives and Big Northstar.
Think of Focus Blocks as appointments with yourself. When you schedule a Focus Block, you're making a commitment to show up and do the work.
What Are Focus Blocks?
Focus Blocks are time-boxed sessions (30 minutes to 4 hours) that you schedule in advance. They come in two flavors:
| Type | Best For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Initiative 🎯 | Work linked to a specific project | "2 hours on Business Plan draft" |
| Quick ⚡ | Standalone focused work | "1 hour of brainstorming" |
Why it matters: By scheduling your deep work, you create accountability and build a rhythm of focused productivity. Plus, you'll see exactly how much time you've invested in each initiative!
Creating a Focus Block
You can create Focus Blocks from multiple places:
- Your Dashboard sidebar
- The Goal page (on any project card)
- The Project detail page
Step-by-Step:
- Click "Add Focus Block" - Look for the + button or "Create Focus Block" option
- Choose your type:
- Initiative: Select from your active projects (time gets tracked to that initiative)
- Quick: Give it a name for standalone focus sessions
- Pick a date: Use the calendar to schedule ahead
- Set your start time: Choose when you'll begin (24-hour format)
- Select duration: From 30 minutes up to 4 hours
Pro tip: Schedule your Focus Blocks at the start of each week. This creates a visual commitment and helps you protect your deep work time!
Your Focus Block Dashboard
Once you've created Focus Blocks, they appear in your sidebar - your command center for upcoming sessions.
What You'll See:
- Grouped by date: Blocks organized chronologically
- "Today" tag: Quick visual indicator for today's sessions
- Live countdown: Real-time timer showing time remaining for active blocks
- Gap time: See breaks between consecutive blocks
The countdown timer helps you stay aware of your commitment. When a Focus Block is active, you'll see exactly how much time you have left - a gentle nudge to stay focused!
Tracking Time on Your Initiatives
Here's where Focus Blocks really shine. Every Initiative-type block contributes to your project's time investment stats.
On each project card, you'll see:
- Total Focus Blocks: How many sessions you've dedicated
- Hours Invested: Cumulative time spent on the initiative
This gives you a clear picture of where your time is actually going - not just where you think it's going!
Managing Your Focus Blocks
On the Project Page
Each initiative shows its own Focus Block list with upcoming and completed sessions.
You'll see:
- Time range: Start and end times with duration
- Status: Upcoming or completed
- Quick delete: Hover to reveal the delete option
Deleting a Focus Block
Changed your plans? No problem:
- Hover over the Focus Block you want to remove
- Click the delete icon that appears
- Confirm the deletion
Best Practices for Focus Blocks 💡
- Schedule in advance: Book your Focus Blocks at the start of each week
- Link to initiatives: Use Initiative-type blocks to track time investment
- Start small: Begin with 1-hour blocks and build up to longer sessions
- Protect the time: Treat Focus Blocks like important meetings - don't cancel!
- Review your stats: Check your time invested regularly to stay motivated
Quick Tips for Success
- Morning blocks tend to be more productive for creative work
- Use Quick blocks for administrative tasks or exploration
- Stack blocks with short breaks between them for sustained focus
- Celebrate milestones when you hit time investment goals on your initiatives
Integrating with Your Workflow
Focus Blocks work best when combined with other Lifehack features:
- Big Northstar: Align your Focus Blocks with initiatives that drive your ultimate goal
- AI Coach: Ask your AI Coach to help prioritize which initiatives need Focus Blocks
- 360 Report: Use insights from your report to identify areas needing more focused time
Ready to start? Head to your dashboard and create your first Focus Block. Your future self will thank you for the focused time you're investing today! 🚀
Need Help?
Questions about Focus Blocks? Use the support button in the bottom right corner of the page to reach us. We're here to help you make the most of your focused work time!