Comments on: How To Stay Focused For Greater Productivity

By: Ed Martin

Ed Martin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:24:25 +0000

I can certainly attest to the 50 minutes. I stumbled across it when I was working in a factory. I’d rather go for 50 mins and take a short break instead of going for 3 hours and taking a longer break. The idea works well in all kinds of situations. Thanks for pointing it out!

By: JT Todd

JT Todd — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:55:22 +0000

I have some desktop software that the same thing as your timer. I input the activities I want to accomplish and during which times I want to accomplish them and the timer keeps track of it. It alerts me when I should start a particular activity and when I should end it and move on to the next one. I’ve found timers to be very helpful at keeping me working quickly because I know I’m under the time gun. : )

By: Clinton Skakun

Clinton Skakun — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:21:11 +0000

Hey thought I’d leave a comment! You passed this along to me on Twitter the other day. I started trying it and it’s been working really well. This makes you kick excuses and continue working just because you have to.

You can imagine, school, business, work all takes way too much time. Staying focused is one of the only ways to get stuff done effectively without needing to come back to it.

This is a great technique and I’m going to use it all the time!

Have a great one!
Clinton

By: Kevin (SpiritintheVillage)

Kevin (SpiritintheVillage) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:15:24 +0000

Thanks for these tips. I usually block off specific time for tasks by turning off all outside influences but I dont’ use a timer. Like that idea. Turning off all distractions is certainly key.
Kevin

By: DaveB

DaveB — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:09:44 +0000

I seriously yesterday was about to crack. Hit send and receive and 20 emails show up, and then the phone rang, and then, it was lunchtime and my to-do list was not any shorter. Also, being a stay-at-home dad doesn’t help productivity.
This was a great post. I already knew about “turing off email, and the phone” but I had stopped doing that. This post was a nice subtle reminder about this effective strategy.
I am also going to try the 50 minute rule starting…now – and it starts with 50 minutes of playing with my kid. Maybe more!

By: Simon Slade, Doubledot Media

Simon Slade, Doubledot Media — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:29:59 +0000

That is a great idea! Thank you for sharing with us.
I also feel that daily exercise is very important. If done in the morning it wakes you up for the rest of the day and helps to improve concentration and consequently productivity. Our company encourages exercise by providing free gym membership to employees. This move has not only improved business but staff are fitter and healthier – benefits for all!

By: Focus is Fragile: 10 Disturbances to Eliminate

Focus is Fragile: 10 Disturbances to Eliminate — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:22:03 +0000

[...] Adopt a 50/10 working rhythm @ Dawud Miracle [...]

By: Creating a Productive Lifestyle | 50KMonth.com

Creating a Productive Lifestyle | 50KMonth.com — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:32:03 +0000

[...] How To Stay Focused For Greater Productivity at dmiracle.com [...]

By: Блог о дизайне и веб-разработке

Блог о дизайне и веб-разработке — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:00:42 +0000

I didn’t use todo list, and I still don’t understand why I need to use it ))

By: The Baldchemist

The Baldchemist — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 01:44:15 +0000

I guess as I lve on Koh Samui, Thailand, weekends don’t count. Half the time I have no idea what day it is. Not that I’m off my face on something, but because I moved here to be away from strict routine.
For me I have found that we, ( I say we ’cause I have several co-workers around me and I suppose my task is more of ” creative/art director”.
Which means I have to shift between tasks quickly dropping with what I have on the go.
I just hope that I have instilled enough of your method into our people.
If you are interested, I have just posted an article on “Brands In Distress” which you might find useful. Its on our site. which I won’t link to here as this is your show.
enjoy yourself and best wishes. The Baldchemist

By: Timous

Timous — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:01:03 +0000

It is really the break in between of the 50 minutes of focus that keeps the productivity boosted. I really like this, thanks.

By: Dawud Miracle

Dawud Miracle — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:26:02 +0000

Olivier,
Give it a try and see what happens. And please, let me know how it changes your workflow.

And thanks…please let me know if there’s anything you’d like to write about. And feel free to reach out and connect any time.

By: Law of attaction guy

Law of attaction guy — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:19:18 +0000

Hi, although many many studies have shown that the optimal length for learning/concentrating is 50 minutes, I never got to implementing it.
I really really need to start implementing this strategy as I think it will work.

As from today, I am a fan of yours (and subscribing to your feed obviously )

Olivier.

By: Dawud Miracle

Dawud Miracle — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:46:27 +0000

K Stone, Sure. I get so much done when I do this. And when I shut down my email client.

By: My Favorite Productivity Trick

My Favorite Productivity Trick — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:57:22 +0000

[...] recently read a great article over at Dawud Miracle’s Blog. He wrote a blog post called How to Stay Focused for Greater Productivity. In his article he gave his most powerful tip for productivity and this is it: “My [...]

By: K Stone

K Stone — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:36:10 +0000

Brilliant! What you describe is my goal. I’m going to be more disciplined about it from now on!

By: links for 2007-10-12 — Conceive, Believe, Achieve

links for 2007-10-12 — Conceive, Believe, Achieve — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:25:09 +0000

[...] How To Stay Focused For Greater Productivity – Dawud Miracle @ dmiracle.com – I almost never work on the weekends. And I rarely work in the evening. So, then, how do I manage to remain a thriving solopreneur? How do I get my work done on time and under budget? Simple (mostly) through good productivity practices. (tags: Business Success work) [...]

By: Courtney

Courtney — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:10:39 +0000

I approach my workday in a somewhat similar manner, yet due to the fact that I am an office manager, multi-tasking is key. I still split my task list into 3 major parts: billing, scheduling/follow-ups, and accounts receivable- during which I am constantly answering calls, emails and IM’s. Even breaking my day into three parts makes balancing 20 things at once somewhat a breeze. Great suggestions!!

By: Dawud Miracle

Dawud Miracle — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:03:06 +0000

George,
Oh, I definitely didn’t invent this. I just am unclear where I heard it. And it works for me. I get lots done when I follow it.

One note, you may not want to wait to be tagged because I think this meme is a bit old now. And Ben, the guy that started it, is putting together a book. Get your entry to him before he finishes the book and I’m sure he’ll include it – with your credits and links.

By: George

George — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:10:17 +0000

Dawud,

Great tips. It’s kind of funny that I was planning on writing a few posts about things I have been doing to increase my productivity. I guess I will wait to be tagged.

As far as the fifty minutes… about 15 years (give or take 5 years) ago I remember reading in several books that you should learn things in 50 minute intervals and take 10 minute breaks because 50 minutes was the optimal amount of time that the human mind could focus. Is that why you chose the 50 minutes or was it something else?