Notifications can be distracting and disrupt your workflow and concentration. Silencing them allows you to maintain better focus on tasks, leading to increased productivity. You can temporarily silence computer notifications to create a period of time for concentration and focus. Learn how to use your computer’s operating system settings to minimize interruptions from notifications, so you can work more efficiently and complete tasks more quickly.
The benefits of silencing notifications:
- Reduces multitasking and allows for concentration on a single task
- More effective time management and improved productivity
- Reduces stress by eliminating the pressure to respond to every alert
- Better mental and emotional well-being by decreasing information overload and decreasing the feeling of being pulled in multiple directions
You may have heard the terms “focus assist,” “do not disturb,” or “quiet notifications.” All of these terms have been used to describe the ability to silence notifications for a period of time. The instructions below will guide you through the process of setting up a time to concentrate.
Tip: Don’t forget that there are offline strategies and tools that can assist with concentration and focus. These strategies involve simple modifications to your environment. For example, hang a do not disturb sign, wear noise cancelling headphones, or use a white noise machine.
Windows: Focus Assist
The following instructions are for the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
- Type “focus assist” in the search box on the task bar and open the Focus Assist System Settings.
- Under the heading Automatic Rules, click During These Times to choose a period of time in which to silence notifications and eliminate disruptions. (Or choose activities in which you do not want to be disturbed; for example, while playing games.)
- Personalize your experience using the repeat setting, a focus level setting, a priority list, and determine if you want a summary of what you missed at the end of the period.
Microsoft Support article: Make it easier to focus on tasks
Mac: Focus Settings
- In the menu bar at the top right of your screen, click the Control Center (icon that looks like two toggle buttons).
- Press Focus.
- Select Focus Settings to customize your experience.
- In the Focus Settings, you can press Add Focus to select a category (Do Not Disturb, Work, Personal, Gaming, Reading, Mindfulness, or create a custom category).
- For each chosen category, customize the settings. For example, create a schedule according to time, location, or app. Also, allow or silence notifications for certain people or apps. Plus, you may determine how certain apps behave when the focus feature is turned on.
- After you have customized your settings, you can quickly activate the focus feature by pressing the Control Center button, clicking Focus, and selecting the category.
Apple Support article: Turn a Focus on or off on Mac
Another strategy for concentration and focus
Set an online timer to stay on task or reminder to take a break.
Strategies for concentration and focus when reading
- Digital reading window
- Page simplification to remove distracting online elements
- Quiet notifications setting
- Text-to-speech technology
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