It’s a sad fact that of the 40 (or more) hours we spend at work every week, many are taken up by idle time, downtime, meetings, and other distractions. That’s why it’s essential that when you do find time to actually work, you’re in the zone and getting things done.
You can use hacks to boost your productivity and schedule every second of the day, but sometimes, you need a little extra help. Here are a few products that can help keep you focused.
A phone charger that makes it hard to touch your phone
Digital distractions are a productivity killer, and you definitely shouldn’t be scrolling Instagram at your desk all day. So consider a phone charging station that keeps your tech just slightly inaccessible, like this multi-device charger from Worunda ($29.99). Charging your phone on a cable long enough to enable you to hold it in your hand at your desk is a recipe for distraction, while setting it on a dock that requires effort to disconnect it (and which can also charge your smartwatch, earbuds, and tablet) might be just the solution.
A focus-enhancing wearable
Apollo Neuro is known for its wearable wellness devices that use vibrations to target your nervous system and reduce stress, but the unobtrusive bands can also help you focus. Try the Glacier ($299), with its Focus Vibe setting, to help you concentrate. And there are six other settings designed to help you relax, recover after a major activity, and even get better sleep.
A vibrating timer
Research shows that breaking your work tasks into timed chunks helps you stay productive and remember to take breaks, but a timer on your desk isn’t very helpful if your job involves anything other than sitting in a chair all day—and using the one on your phone only invites more distraction. The solution: A wearable timer band, like this one from eSeasongear ($18.99). It’s a quiet, efficient, vibrating alarm that can help you become the master of the Pomodoro Technique without anyone noticing.
An availability indicator
Intrusions while you’re working will throw you off, so stop them before they happen with an availability indicator. You can opt for a BusyBox ($129), a digital sign you can post outside your office. You can use your phone to change the display to indicate when you’re busy, on a call, or otherwise unavailable. Don’t need that level of sophistication? ChannelPro offers a low-tech six-option door sign ($14.95) that you can customize to indicate when you’re available, on a break, or in a meeting.
A grown-up fidget toy
Messing with fidget toys can relieve stress and enhance productivity, but there’s something a little embarrassing about having one of those giant, rainbow-hued, bubble-popping mats on your grownup desk. Try something a little more subtle, like the ONO Roller Jr. ($24.99). It’s a quiet, unassuming roller you can fiddle with in your hand while you work—and no one has to know.
A digital calendar
Traditional calendars are hard to integrate with our digital lives—but if you rely on the one on your phone too much, you could easily get distracted by social media. Try a digital desktop calendar that will show your daily and weekly schedules, the weather, and the other updates you’d usually use your phone for. SyncGo’s version ($95) synchronizes with your Google Calendar when connected to WiFi, eliminating the need for constant phone grabs.
All your focus-enhancing gear in review
It takes an army (of devices) to get you to hit your max focus and productivity, so here are the products we recommend: