Morning Focus Time
"Focus time" is the practice of dedicating extended, distraction-free time to the most important tasks of the day. By intentionally guarding these hours, we can tap into a "flow state" where productivity skyrockets. At PWI we have adopted a specific practice called morning focus time to help every developer reach that level of focus.
Why We Do This
Focus = productivity. Long stretches of uninterrupted time help us deliver complex features faster and with higher quality.
Fewer distractions, better results. Each interruption resets our train of thought. Protecting focus time allows us to work at peak efficiency.
Personal growth. Continuous deep work speeds up learning, making it easier to master new skills and tackle challenging problems.
Daily Schedule
Morning focus time begins shortly after the morning stand‑up and lasts until lunch. During this window we aim for several hours of uninterrupted work on high priority tasks. We ruthlessly cut out distractions so everyone can get into the zone.
What to Observe
Do not check email. Keep your inbox out of sight so you are not tempted to respond. If an issue is truly urgent, someone will call.
Silence personal devices. Put your phone on do‑not‑disturb (Android’s "flip to shh" feature works great) and mute non‑essential notifications.
Limit group chat messages. Avoid casual Telegram chatter. Post only messages that have meaningful business impact.
Avoid scheduling meetings. Schedule meetings and collaborative reviews outside of focus time whenever possible.
Don't bother others. Respect your colleagues' focus time by not interrupting them.
Switch tasks if stuck. If you hit a roadblock, move on to another task. If your task is time-sensitive, limit interruptions to only the team member who can help you resolve the issue.
These simple habits drastically will reduce context switching and allow us to accomplish more in less time.
Be Consistent
Consistency is key. By committing to morning focus time, we position ourselves to produce revolutionary software quickly and efficiently. However, you cannot reap the full benefits of focus time if you only do it occasionally. Make it a daily habit to get the most out of it.
More Information
To learn more about why focus time is so important, check out these resources:
Tapping Into Flow State - Memo written by Jeff Miller explaining why focus time is so important, and tips on how to maximize it.
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
If you have ideas for improving focus time or want to discuss how it affects your workflow, share them! We are always refining our approach so that everyone can do their best work every day.