Focus is the single most important skill when it comes to the difference between lifelong success or always falling short of your goals. However, it's a skill that many people do not care to develop. Thankfully, Apple aims to make it easier to find focus with the release of iOS 15.
Using several powerful tools, iOS 15's Focus feature helps filter notifications and apps based on what you want to focus on at any given time. Through custom or suggested Focus modes, your iPhone can help you achieve your goals instead of distracting you from them.
Here are some ideas for different Focus modes you might want to set up.
1. Work
With iOS 15, there are several improvements when it comes to iPhone notification management using Focus mode. For example, if your iPhone detects that you're working, it will automatically deliver urgent messages and save the non-critical notifications for later. Aside from this, you can also temporarily mute any app or messaging thread when you need to de-escalate a work thread that is just getting far too toxic.
To create the perfect Focus Mode settings for work, go to Settings > Focus > Work.
Once you are in the Settings screen, you can select which people you need to be able to reach urgently, such as your designated work partner, boss, or teammates, and which apps are essential to your job, such as Slack or Asana. You can also automate Focus for Work to trigger by time, location, or when you open a certain app.
If you want to enable Focus mode for Work, go to Settings > Focus > Work and toggle the button to the right.
Alternatively, you may also open Control Center, press Focus, and tap on Work. From there, you can also press the three dots button to enable Focus mode for Work for one hour, until the evening, or until you leave your current location.
2. Mealtime
If there's one bad habit that many digital natives struggle with, it's being on our phones while we're eating. While it's true that there are plenty of valid reasons for staying glued to our devices during a meal, many of us just do it out of habit. Unfortunately, not being mindful while eating can lead to overeating, choking, or just letting your food turn cold. With Focus, you can schedule mealtimes and tell the world to wait while you properly enjoy your food.
While there is no default setting for mealtimes, you can create a custom Focus for meals in iOS 15 by going to Settings > Focus and pressing the plus (+) button. Next, select Custom, name it Mealtime, and select your preferred colors and icons. Once you are happy, press Next.
Then, hit Allow None when asked which people are allowed to contact you during your mealtime. Lastly, select what apps can still send you notifications, which might be water reminder apps or food tracking apps.
3. Entertainment
Time flies when you're having fun, especially when your eyes are glued to a fantastic game or show. Unfortunately, it can even be hard to focus on entertainment when you get so many unnecessary notifications or messages. Thankfully, with Focus, you can give your full attention to what gives you joy.
Not only does it make it easier to really absorb stories and experiences, but it also reminds you to stop when it's time for your other responsibilities. Aside from using Focus to block out time for notifications, you can also disable calls and make use of the various Do Not Disturb features.
4. Exercise
For most of us, finding the time in the workday to show up for a workout already takes a lot of motivation. When there are endless notifications, it can be all too easy to convince yourself to step away from the mat or blame bad weather for missing a scheduled workout.
Using Focus, you can get the most out of your workout time by making sure no one bothers you until you are done. With Focus modes, setting time aside to exercise on your iPhone can be as simple as going to Settings > Focus.
Then, press the plus (+) button and select Fitness. You can select the people to receive notifications from, such as your physical trainer or coach. Next, select the apps that you use for fitness like workout trackers and smartwatch apps.
5. Mindfulness
Through the years, maximizing productivity has been normalized across work, gaming, and especially social media. While it's tempting to think of the iPhone's Focus feature as just another way to stay focused on being productive, it can also be a great way to just be. Not every moment has to be spent improving yourself, some moments are perfect without having to do anything.
Using iOS 15, you can select a prepared Focus goal by going to Settings > Focus. Then, tap the plus (+) button and tap Mindfulness. From here, you can select Allow None for notifications for everyone and disable notifications from all apps.
Next, you can tap Turn Mindfulness on Automatically when you start a session in your iPhone Mindfulness app.
6. Spending Time With Loved Ones
At the end of the day, what is more important to focus on than the people we love? Whether it be your family members, friends, significant other(s), or pets, there are so many individuals in our lives that deserve our full attention. While it has become the norm to have our phones out during private moments, Focus modes might just be the reminder we need to prioritize being present.
To customize your Do Not Disturb options in the Focus settings, go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb. Then, select the people and apps that are allowed to notify you. Next, choose to Share Focus Status; this lets people who message you know that you're not taking any non-essential conversations. Then, turn on your screen notifications by clicking Home Screen and Lock Screen.
For Do Not Disturb, you can even set it to turn on automatically during family game nights, important gatherings, or on weekends. With iOS 15, you can schedule not just your Do Not Disturb time, but also ask to repeat on certain days of the week, like weekends.
Learn the Power of Focus
With so much in the world telling us to focus on the next big thing, it's important to remember what really matters in our lives. Time is the most valuable resource we have, so it makes sense that we treat it as such. While many people think that there are never really enough hours in the day, the truth is that we waste a lot of them.
Using the iOS 15 Focus feature, you can take back your power and focus on the activities that add value, make you happy, and bring you closer to the person that you want to be.
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