Today we are talking all things Focus@Will and I’ll run you through the reasons I love using the using the program, and the pros and cons.
What is Focus@Will?
Focus@Will is a subscription based platform which is full of music, specifically written, composed and designed to help you increase your focus and your concentration.
Their official definition:
“Focus@will is a music service based on human neuroscience. It helps you focus, reduce distractions, maintain your productivity and retain information when working, studying, writing and reading. The scientifically tested technology behind focus@will has been shown to alter brain activity toward a state that is more conducive to productivity.”
There is a whole heap of science behind it that goes way over my head, but at the end of the day, I know that it works for me!
How it works:
– I log into the Focus@Will website and set a timer for how long I want to work (although you can just listen to it without a timer).
– I choose the type of music I want to listen to, anything from classical to up-tempo, alpha chill, focus spa… just café noise, and everything in between.
– I pick the pace of the music I want to listen to (depending on the type and speed of work that I want to get done), so you can listen slow, medium or fast paced music.
– Then I stick my headphones in, hit play and work until the timer goes off.
– At the end, Focus@Will asks me how productive my time was and allows me to keep a log.
The Pros
I know that it works
Don’t ask me how, but I know that it does. When I have my headphones in, and Focus@Will on, I end up in this strange typing trance. If I have a hell of a lot of work to do, especially something like data entry or content creation, where I just need to focus and get a lot done, then Focus@Will is my go to.
I get so much more work done, when I know that I just have to focus for that period while the time is on.
The music is specifically created
The music has been specifically written so that it is interesting enough to keep your brain active, but so that it doesn’t change too much to distract you. It is just enough to keep you engaged. It is at that happy zone in the middle where you almost don’t realise that it is there, but it is incredibly motivating.
I know that my productivity goes through the roof when I am using the platform, which is why I am an annual subscription member, and have been for the past couple of years.
The cons
To be fair, I am not sure that there are many downsides to Focus@Will, and if there are, I haven’t found them yet… the only one I can think of is
It’s not free
If free is what you are looking for, then this isn’t for you… but, you honestly get what you pay for.
It is an incredibly useful piece of software, and it is well worth the money.
It can be VERY focusing
This isn’t a downside as such… I mean, that is what it is supposed to do.
But I’ve realised that when you are in the zone the 45min, or whatever time you have set, just flies by. You really are in this kind of trance state where you get so much done, but that means you’re not always aware of what is going on around you. Often the timer buzzer at the end will scare me a little and jolt me out of my work.
That could be a problem if you have got other things that you are supposed to be keeping an eye on. For example, I wouldn’t advise it if you have young kids, or something on the stove.
To me, this is a pro. The reason that I use it is to get that high level of focus on my work, but it is something to be aware of.
So, that is Focus@Will. I strongly suggest that you go and try it out.
They do often have a free trial period running, so that you can give it a go and see what you think.
You can check it out here
When you give it a go, give it your all. Set a timer, put headphones in and really focus on what you are doing. You will be surprised just how much you can get done when you do.
The amount of extra work I get done far outweighs the cost, in fact I’d get that back many, many times over (I really should work out the numbers one day).
Note:
The views in this post are mine, and mine alone.
The links above are affiliate links, and I may receive a small payment if you chose to use the service. This is at no extra cost to you.
And you know I wouldn’t tell you about a product or service if I didn’t use it and love it.