This is my review of the iOS and the Mac app Befocused Pro by Xwavesoft. There is both a free and a paid pro version of this software.
I wanted to try this software out as it syncs across all my devices, so I can track the amount of blocks I complete. The main reason I wanted to use software like this as I wanted a timer so I can try out using the Pomodoro Technique to help me to be more productive.
Recently I seem to getting busier and busier in everything I do, and was starting to slip behind in things, the main things I was struggling with was keeping track of the team and all their tasks and projects, plus the sheer amount of mails coming in, as well as the "stuff" I need to sort outside of the main 9-5. I have read a lot of amount this technique so I thought it can't hurt, and as it happens I received an email from Trello about it.
I looked around this app seemed to be perfect for me so I can create different categories so I can track over time where I seem to be spending the most amount of time of tasks so I can see what improvements need to be made.
The app is very easy to use, and once you start the timer on your category of choice you can leave it open on your iOS device or you can close it to count in the background. On the Mac it puts it in the bar at the top so you can see it counting down. This is good and bad at the same time, as it's good to see how long you have left in this slot, but also bad as you can see it counting down and could make you feel under pressure, if you feel you have not done enough. I was sceptical but this really has helped me with my procrastination.
I know this sounds strange but this has actually managed to give me more time in my day, where as before I would start to work on something, then drift away. Now when I know that I start the app for a section of time, I know I have to have the discipline to stick to the task in hand for the full 25 minutes. Now for sorting out the email, I either action the mail or resolve it then and there, or process to follow up later, I can get through the couple of hundred of emails that come in every couple of hours.
I then also block out a section to update my personal Trello boards and for my team, but now it gives me more time to be able to "execute" and get the work done I need to.
Again as I pick the categories I have setup, I can fully focus whether it be work on some development, write posts for the sites I write for, or generally Get Work Done.
The reason I say this has given me more time, is because I have to be strict for the time period, I just tend to crack on with no distractions and totally focus on the one task and hand until either its completed in the time, or I have made good progress into completing the tasks, which I can pick up again after the short alloted break. I have found it really beneficial to take the time breaks as well. Because I am allocating a good few Pomodoro's a day I am more than keeping up to date and my lists are easily manageable that I can afford much more free time.
Below are the full features
Features for Mac
- Manage your tasks
- Fast and easy goal tracking
- Track your progress (day, week or custom period)
- Customize to maximize productivity:
- Work interval duration
- Long break duration
- Short break duration
- Target number of work intervals per day
- Number of intervals between long breaks
- Ability to paste a task list from other applications
- Ability to start, pause, or skip work intervals
- Ability to edit the number of work intervals
- Auto-start the next timer (option)
- Export to a CSV file
- Global hotkeys
- Different alarm sounds
- Optional ticking sound
- Launch at startup option
- Syncs between iPad, iPhone and Mac*
* Sync with iOS devices requires Be Focused Pro for iOS, sold separately.
Features for iPhone and iPad
- Manage your tasks
- Fast and easy goal tracking
- Track your progress (day, week or custom period)
- Customize to maximize productivity:
- Work interval duration
- Long break duration
- Short break duration
- Target number of work intervals per day
- Number of intervals between long breaks
- Possibility to start/pause/skip the current interval
- Alarms sound even if the app is in the background
- Ability to edit the number of intervals
- Ability to paste a task list from other applications
- Auto-start the next timer (option)
- Export to a CSV file
- 3D Touch
- Interactive notifications
- Original ticking sound (optional)
- Different alarm sounds or vibration
- Widget in the Notification Center
- One universal app for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
- Full synchronization between iPad, iPhone, and Mac
* Sync with Mac requires Be Focused Pro for OS X, sold separately.
I am always interested in your thoughts so if you have any comments or feedback then please feel free to add any comments, or you can mail me here.
