Stay focused while using your Mac

Discover how the free Be Focused app can help you get more done

REQUIRES

Be Focused, OS X 10.9 or later

You will learn

How to get into a better pattern of work and rest with the help of a neat little menu bar utility

IT WILL TAKE

10 minutes

Be Focused is a free app from the Mac App Store that helps you stay focused on the work and personal tasks you do on your Mac. Whether you’re writing a report for work, updating your blog, browsing the web, or doing something else, the app tracks the time you spend on each task.

The app uses the Pomodoro technique, a method that’s used to focus on tasks and avoid distractions, dividing your time into work and rest periods. A timer is started and you work until it counts down to zero, when an alarm or notification tells you to stop. Then comes a rest period before you begin another session of work. The idea is simple, yet surprisingly effective at focusing your attention.

Be Focused goes further than that by also functioning as a to-do list manager and time tracker. You can add tasks you need to do directly to Be Focused, and check them off when they are done.

If you need to track the time spent on projects, the app shows how much time each task took, and you can view weekly, monthly, and other reports. It’s a great way to get a complete picture of how you spend time using your Mac.

After a few weeks or even days of using Be Focused, you’ll have a much better idea of how your computer time is spent.