June 27, 2023

On our always-connected devices, it can be difficult to stay on track with so much at our fingertips. But whether you’re studying for classes, writing an assignment, or tracking your budget in Excel, employing the Pomodoro Technique and productivity apps can significantly improve your ability to stay focused online.

After all, a little bit of discipline can go a long way. Here’s how to enhance productivity and maintain focus online.

Set up your workspace for success

More people are working from home than ever. While a comfortable environment can put our minds at ease, the home office comes with its own share of distractions: beds, televisions, family members, home cleaning, or pets can all disrupt your day job.

The key for successful work-from-home productivity is to set up a dedicated part of your living space for the workday. Find a space in your living room or (if you have the space) devote a separate room to your office, plus a comfortable chair and a desk that can fit your laptop and accessories. If you have a full-time job, your company may even cover the costs of this equipment.

Take advantage of Microsoft’s available devices to connect your Surface laptop to your home setup, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a dedicated workspace in the home and a powerful mobile device on the road. Connect accessories like keyboards and monitors to a Surface Dock 2, and use up to three screens for optimal productivity.

Find a daily ritual

Getting into the right mindset for work is vital for staying focused online. Whether it’s a coffee-making routine, dressing professionally, or a self-care ritual, finding a set series of tasks to complete before you sit down at your desk can ease yourself into the work mentality, thereby helping you focus online.

Limit device distractions and social media

When working online, set up boundaries to avoid certain corners of the Internet—namely, social media apps or community sites. Learn to clear your browser history so they won’t show up in your address bar, potentially tempting you to check on your social media accounts.

Windows 11 also has features to help you stay focused, like an on-screen timer, do not disturb setting, and the option to limit notifications from distracting you. If you’re using a mobile device instead of your Surface laptop or 2-in-1 PC, consider leaving it on Airplane Mode. Just make sure your friends know you’re not ignoring their texts; you’re merely in the thick of work, and you can get back to them during breaks.

Use productivity apps

Perhaps you just need that extra nudge to stay focused. You can find productivity apps that can block social media sites during certain hours, block online ads from distracting you, and make it easy to read and open documents. Check out Microsoft Edge’s browser add-ons for productivity tools that can do exactly all of those things.

Consider the “Pomodoro Technique”

One of the most popular productivity methods is the Pomodoro Technique, a popular time-management method invented by Francesco Cirillo. With this technique, you time your tasks into 25-30 minute time frames, then take a 2-3 minute break before moving onto the next task. Repeat for the same amount of time, either on completing the same task or switching gears to another.

The goal of this technique is to help you avoid procrastination by focusing on many smaller tasks, instead of zoning out at one seemingly unending task. Researchers have found that 25 minutes is an effective amount of time to focus on one task without seeming tedious, and taking minor breaks can help your mind reset without pushing you to feel overwhelmed.

And yes, there are interval timers and pomodoro-focused apps to help you focus online and stay on track. For more tips on time management skills, or how to take action on your tasks, check out Microsoft 365 and its articles on productivity.