How to push yourself into focus mode to be more effective: Bento Method
I will show you a method to remove distractions, produce deep work and channel yourself into focus mode
Today at a glance:
Bento Methodology helps you to focus on meaningful tasks by removing distractions, pushing yourself to produce deep work and channeling yourself into focus mode.
It achieves this by limiting yourself to a 3 tasks “box” - a large one, a medium one and a small one.
Then, you can apply workflows to these tasks such as:
Eat That Frog (L>M>S)
Climb The Summit (M>L>S)
The Slow Burn (S>M>L)
Finally, it proposes a few techniques to focus in the selected task:
Focus mode (Block out the other 2 tasks on your list, for true focus)
Countdown Timers (Set a timer and working to a set time)
A Framework
Typically, we push ourselves too hard with a lot of tasks because we convinced ourselves more output means more success.
We overwhelm ourselves with 8 - 10 tasks to do during our day and, unless we’ve had a pretty productive day — it is rare we end up completing all of them.
At the end of our workday we feel overwhelmed and anxious because we have only done half of those tasks.
Bento Methodology helps you to focus on 3 meaningful tasks by removing distractions, pushing yourself to produce deep work and channeling yourself into focus mode.
This methodology was developed by Francesco D´alessio and the Keep Productive team. And, it is strongly inspired by the book “Deep Work” by Cal Newport — a classic productivity book that explores a similar concept.
✅ 1. Choose Tasks
The 1st step of the Bento Method, is to choose 3 tasks — one large one, one medium one, one small one.
The goal is to reduce task overload and improve chances of feeling successful at the end of a long workday.
🥗 Small Task
Focus: Light, habitual
Timings: 15–30 minutes
Context: Administrative or wellbeing
Example: Clear emails, yoga sessions, file documents
🍚 Medium Task
Focus: Balanced, analytical
Timings: 45–60 minutes
Context: Project-orientated, incoming, process-based
Example: Email campaign, schedule social media, finish presentation
🍣 Large Task
Focus: Creative, intense
Timings: 90+ minutes
Context: Deliverable-oriented
Example: Write report, edit video, project deliverable
👩🏻💻 2. Apply Workflows
Workflows allow you to order your tasks according to your energy levels throughout the day.
There are three workflows you can apply:
🐸 Eat That Frog (L>M>S) starts with a large task, moves into a medium task and ends with a small task — allowing you to accomplish your biggest task as you begin your day.
🗻 Climb The Summit (M>L>S) starts with a medium task in an effort to get you started on something reasonably energetic for your mind, then once you’re bedded in — you can conquer the large task — and finish small.
🏃🏼 The Slow Burn (S>M>L) starts with the smallest task on your list. For some, this works great — as it allows them to get warmed into the day with an easy win to help get the ball rolling.
⚡️3. Focus
Focus is really important as we work. The goal should be to complete the task at hand. After you limit yourself to 3 tasks, and order your list, you still want to focus on the task at hand.
⚡️ Focus Mode — Focus on one task by visually blocking out the other 2 tasks on your list.
⏰ Timer — Working to a timer can be an effective way to allocate a set period of time and focus.
And that´s it!
Limiting your workload, balancing the order of your tasks entirely based on your energy levels and getting you into focus mode isn’t only valuable but it can change your approach to completing your workday with success!
A Poll
I want to develop the most meaningful Notion tool for you, so please help me with this one-question poll:
Do you have another favorite method in mind? Feel free to reply this email with your preferred one! I will do my best to build Notion tools of the top voted methods!
If you are interested in learning more about the Bento Method I took this 35 USD course and it ended up as the inspiration for this article!
They offer a 30-day refund policy so this is really risk-free and a no-brainer!
Check it out here:
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