Focus Modes ideas

Cool Workflows
1

I finally decided to check out Focus Modes to see how they can help me. I only have used the sleep mode. I’m curious what focus modes others have created that they use frequently.

2

I have a “Slow Down” focus that I have set to basically only let notifications from my wife and my mom through…this way I’m not tempted to get drawn into any conversations, etc…it’s not that I won’t check those apps, it’s that I want it to be more deliberate.

I also have a true “Do Not Disturb” which shuts off every incoming notification…I only use this rarely, but there are times where I don’t want my phone to make any indication of a notification.

I’m also experimenting with “Reduce Interruptions” which is the new built-in focus mode on the beta. It’s interesting because I’m on the beta on my iPad, but not on my iPhone. Yet I see it on my iPhone…curious.

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3

I’m a professor, and I have a teaching Focus Mode that kicks in every time I’m in class. It filters out notifications from anyone outside of my department, shows a particular iPad home screen with relevant apps, and employs a few focus filters with specific apps. I think the most important component is limited to minimal notifications. I have it set on a schedule and just update the days/times at the beginning of each semester.

Actually, I’ve tried to encourage students to have a classroom Focus Mode, as they really need to get a handle on notifications, but have been unsuccessful thus far. Earlier this year I took a survey of students, and precisely zero had ever heard of Focus Mode.

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4

This is a good idea. I teach a 1.5 hour class at the library and this week, I’ll start a new one. It’s all on my computer but I use a separate Mac profile and I see no notifications on it. I keep my phone volume off and I haven’t noticed watch notifications but maybe because I’m focused on teaching. There’s no doubt I must get some Due notifications that I don’t notice.

5

I’ve been using Focus Mode more and more lately. Some of my most recent that I’ve been tweaking:

  • Sleep Mode: Generally only immediate family calls will go through
  • Presentation Mode: Mutes everything. I also use my iPad for doing demos periodically and it changes the background and I’ve got a clean home screen with no apps or distractions
  • Reading Mode: This is on an older iPad Mini I use almost exclusivly for reading. Again, this mutes most everything, changes the background, and has my reading apps/widgets ready to go so I have no distractions
  • Deep Work: This one focues on limiting distractions and getting into a “deep work” session

With iOS and iPadOS, there’s something about setting a focus mode and having apps/backgrounds/setting adjust for that mode. When I hit “Reading” mode on the iPad, there’s something in my brain that sees the clean screen with a new background (I use one with books all over it) that triggers a mostly distracted reading session. I say mostly because I’ve still got a couple kids at home and a dog…there’s only so much a focus mode can do :rofl:.

I use these on the Mac to mostly limit distractions, but I’m considering setting up some “modes” for different work I do. I haven’t listened yet, but the Automators had a recent episode Automators #161: Setup App Showdown - Relay FM on this topic.

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