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4th out of 4 books
—
4 voters
Focus: A simplicity manifesto in the Age of Distraction
by
Leo Babauta
It’s about how to find focus in this age of distraction — focus for getting amazing things done, for reflection and contemplation, for what you’re passionate about. It’s about how to do that and still live in this digital world.
ebook, free, 121 pages
Published
October 21st 2010
(first published September 10th 2010)
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Ok, I knew I'm way too easily distracted and having a hard time getting things done because of it, but I really didn't think I was addicted to all this e-crap. After all, I'm not even on Twitter, I don't have a smart phone, I don't text and hate calls. But then Leo proposed disconnecting completely for 2-3 days--no phone, no email, no news, no facebook, no blogs, no websites--and I realized my first instinct was panic. Also, I used to ignore the computer at home all weekend, but now I find mysel...more
I have to confess: I read this book in fits and starts in transit and on breaks and wherever I could find 10 minutes at a time until I was finally able to finish the last third in one extended uninterrupted sitting. As I write this review, I have the television on and am constantly switching my attention from one screen to the other. I fear actually tallying the number of hours I spend checking the black holes of Facebook, Twitter and Gmail. And clutter? I am its queen. If there is a target audi...more
This review applies to the free version of Focus; there are larger, more extensive versions available for purchase, both on Kindle and on the Focus Manifesto website. I cannot comment on either one.
I came across this during my recent reading and thinking on minimalism, and download it because a) focus is something that I can always use practice on and b) the price was right. I realize that the second may not be the noblest reason for getting a book, but hey, it worked for me.
The free version of...more
I came across this during my recent reading and thinking on minimalism, and download it because a) focus is something that I can always use practice on and b) the price was right. I realize that the second may not be the noblest reason for getting a book, but hey, it worked for me.
The free version of...more
كتاب رائع يستعرض مشكلتنا الرئيسية التي سببتها لنا التقنية وهي تشتت التفكير وفقدان القدرة على التركيز في العمل أو الإنتاج من غير مقاطعات الأجهزة التقنية المشتتة، يميز هذا الكتاب أن من كتبه كان يعاني من نفس المشكلة واستطاع تجاوزها بنجاح، وبذلك يكون قد ابتعد عن المثالية بشكل كبير، يعجبني أيضاً أنه لايقيّدك بطريقة معينة أو حل معيّن وإنما يطرح عليك الحلول الشائعة التي تناسب غالب الناس وأنت الذي يقرر الأسلوب الأمثل لك. الكتاب مجاني يمكنك تحميله من موقع الكتاب
http://focusmanifesto.com/
والأخ ناصر الناصر...more
http://focusmanifesto.com/
والأخ ناصر الناصر...more
Понеже от известно време чета блога на Лео за минимализъм - http://mnmlist.com/ , а и от Све видях, че тази книга има безплатна версия, а и имам малко проблеми с фокусирането и вършенето на задачи, реших да зачета. Книгата звучи като един дъълъг блог-пост, което донякъде е забавно, но и я олекотява малко повече от здравословното. Като почетеш малко от господин Лео, забелязваш как той ужасно се повтаря и вече имаш чувството, че си чел всичко и дори не искаш да си помисляш с какво е успял да напъл...more
3 likes · like · see review
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Ещё одна книжка про самоорганизацию и тайм-менеджмент. Вроде ничего нового не сказано, но подобные штуки хорошо время от времени перечитывать, чтоб напоминать себе. Полезно, кажется, всем в наш век избытка информации.
Это не технологий мы должны бояться. Мы должны бояться такого образа жизни, при котором мы постоянно подключены, постоянно разрываемся между разрушителями внимания, постоянно отвлекаемся и подвергаемся бомбардировке информацией и запросами. Это жизнь, в которой нет места для творчес...more
Это не технологий мы должны бояться. Мы должны бояться такого образа жизни, при котором мы постоянно подключены, постоянно разрываемся между разрушителями внимания, постоянно отвлекаемся и подвергаемся бомбардировке информацией и запросами. Это жизнь, в которой нет места для творчес...more
Finished the free edition of Focus [1] by Leo Babauta (2/5). Leo writes Zen Habits[2] a blog about simplicity and creativity for those of us living in this modern, hectic world. The blog is great, and I dip into it from time to time when I need a refresher on simplicity.
The book has all of the merits of the blog: the content is clear and concise, the writing good, and the advice useful without being accusing. However, while the style and the content are both good, the chapters read as lengthy bl...more
The book has all of the merits of the blog: the content is clear and concise, the writing good, and the advice useful without being accusing. However, while the style and the content are both good, the chapters read as lengthy bl...more
If you're anything like me, you spend the day tweeting, facebooking, checking e-mail, playing Words With Friends and mostly just being distracted. If you feel like it's keeping you from doing the things you need and want to get done, perhaps reading Leo Babauta's "Focus."
You can download the free book and read it in .pdf format on your computer or print it out.
If Leo Babauta sounds familiar, it may be because his blog Zen Habits has long been successful among GTDers and minimalists.
Babauta came...more
You can download the free book and read it in .pdf format on your computer or print it out.
If Leo Babauta sounds familiar, it may be because his blog Zen Habits has long been successful among GTDers and minimalists.
Babauta came...more
I was very enthusiastic about the book during its first half, when it talked about concentrating on one thing at a time and weeding out all the digital and other distractions in your life but when it went into suggesting to do the easy things instead of the hard ones and the pleasant ones instead of the unpleasant ones, I felt like I just couldn't agree with that. Often doing the hard things now make life easy later on and doing the unpleasant ones immediately will yield more pleasant things in...more
El libro me parece honesto en su propósito. Simplificar tu vida (hay estrategias para lograrlo!) implica abrazar una poca de varias cosas: saber qué se quiere, la decisión de llevarlo a cabo, la resiliencia la más de las veces, la paciencia a tiempo y en exactas dosis.
El autor -padre de seis hijos- plantea estrategias y modus operandis, principalmente, en plan minimalistas. Desconectá aquello, focalizate acá, concentración a doble motor.
Muchas de las estrategias no son díficiles de conseguir, p...more
El autor -padre de seis hijos- plantea estrategias y modus operandis, principalmente, en plan minimalistas. Desconectá aquello, focalizate acá, concentración a doble motor.
Muchas de las estrategias no son díficiles de conseguir, p...more
My only problem with this book is that it tends to be very repetitive. I think that the autor could have made his point in half the book's pages. That said, I really liked it. It really does help you gain focus in a practical way, and in my opinion most of the arguments presented here are very valid. The author not only shows you why you should become more focused, but also presents useful tools and tecniques to get there. The changes suggested here are simple ones, that doesn't require much, bu...more
May 02, 2013
Lesley Nowlin
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Authors...really a book for all..has a universal appeal
Many reviewers state Leo Babauta books are similar. This was my first book by Babauta, and I thought it was simply amazing. Focus was full of advice on how to stay focused and complete simple task. I've always said twitter and facebook was a huge was of time, but really needed for authors and people trying to grow their business. Leo offers solutions to the social media distraction. The overall premise of this book is to slow down and focus on one task at a time until it's complete. One pointer...more
1 like · like · see review
Summarized in a few words :
Avoid activities which give first order instant positive feedback and second order delayed negative feedback. (Junk Food, Checking Mail, etc)
Do one thing at a time.
Do the hardest task first and the rest will follow/be easy.
Avoid Information Overload. You can't know/do everything.
Separate creating, consuming and communicating time.
Use the 80/20 principle, and eliminate the unproductive 80.
Have some time in solitude - this could mean waking up early in the morning befor...more
Avoid activities which give first order instant positive feedback and second order delayed negative feedback. (Junk Food, Checking Mail, etc)
Do one thing at a time.
Do the hardest task first and the rest will follow/be easy.
Avoid Information Overload. You can't know/do everything.
Separate creating, consuming and communicating time.
Use the 80/20 principle, and eliminate the unproductive 80.
Have some time in solitude - this could mean waking up early in the morning befor...more
I've read this before and gradually implemented some of the suggestions. Focus has become my personal word for 2013 so I decided to read it again. Whether you are an office worker, manual laborer, unemployed, or self employed, this book has suggestions to make your life a little better. It's easy to read and say "that's fine for him, but it won't work in my life!" The harder path is to see the intent behind the suggestion and turn it into something you CAN implement in your life. Everyone has th...more
Книга существует в двух вариантах: бесплатном и полном. В полном варианте — есть дополнительные главы, в т.ч. написанные с другими авторами. Но основная идея, принципы и приёмы изложены в бесплатной части. Читается легко, язык простой и ясный, если у вас средний уровень владения английским — смело читайте в оригинале (in English). Книга книга хорошо структурирована, по объёму небольшая: 121 страница, но текст вразрядку.
Автор объясняет, как добиться фокуса в работе и в любом деле, и вследствие эт...more
Автор объясняет, как добиться фокуса в работе и в любом деле, и вследствие эт...more
I love this book! It has helped me change so many things in my life really! It basically helped me become more focused on getting my tasks done efficiently.
The main tips that had made a huge difference were:
-Clearing up my desk and literally keeping ONLY a couple of items.
-Clearing my laptop desktop and taskbar.
-Listening to sounds-capes and white noise while working on a task that needs focus when being in a noisy environment.
-Using a Google chrome extension that helps block sites on the inter...more
The main tips that had made a huge difference were:
-Clearing up my desk and literally keeping ONLY a couple of items.
-Clearing my laptop desktop and taskbar.
-Listening to sounds-capes and white noise while working on a task that needs focus when being in a noisy environment.
-Using a Google chrome extension that helps block sites on the inter...more
So, I'm not the sort of guy to read, let alone buy a self-published book. That said, this book (more a collection of blog posts) provides some practical advice for fighting off the random demands of modern life that fragment our attention and increase our stress levels.
There are some flaws in the writing due to lack of a proper editor, but the messages come through clearly, and are connected to actual practice. Recommended if, like me, you feel that life has given you a case of what I like to ca...more
There are some flaws in the writing due to lack of a proper editor, but the messages come through clearly, and are connected to actual practice. Recommended if, like me, you feel that life has given you a case of what I like to ca...more
Full of great resources, tools, tips and advice. My only complaint was going to be that it isn't as practical for parents but there's a chapter in there that deals with parents too. Another thing I think that's important to keep in mind is the whole minimalist lifestyle is a process not an end-goal. Just something you work on constantly so I'd keep that in mind to prevent from becoming overwhelmed.
Definitely recommend reading this book b/c its free, it's a quick read & it's an ebook that you...more
Definitely recommend reading this book b/c its free, it's a quick read & it's an ebook that you...more
This book helps you get disconnected from your internet, your social network, etc. It helps you simplify your commitments, and it helps you learn to single-task, which basically means… when you do a task, think only about that task. Live in the present.
I used the free version. The full version has about ten extra chapters, as well as how-to videos and such. I think I'm going to work through the rest of the book before I buy the full version… if I buy a full version.
I used the free version. The full version has about ten extra chapters, as well as how-to videos and such. I think I'm going to work through the rest of the book before I buy the full version… if I buy a full version.
I'm adding this book to my "rules to live by" section. While many of the ideas cannot be implemented by most of us corporate minions, I think eliminating distraction is key to a more productive life. Even if you can't do everything the author suggests, you can make changes if you have the desire, and you can find what works for you. Leo Babauta wrote a great book with this one; I can't wait to check out his other work. He sure makes me wish for a career like his.
I have to admit it, I couldn't finish this book.
Leo Babauta lessons are probably too biased towards the role of the independent professional working at home. I find very difficult putting into practice many of the guidelines in my current workplace, where continuous distractions are part of the daily work.
The situations described here are simply not realistic for many of us.
This is for me the first and last book from the acclaimed productivity guru Mr. Babauta.
Leo Babauta lessons are probably too biased towards the role of the independent professional working at home. I find very difficult putting into practice many of the guidelines in my current workplace, where continuous distractions are part of the daily work.
The situations described here are simply not realistic for many of us.
This is for me the first and last book from the acclaimed productivity guru Mr. Babauta.
A lot of things we already know: clear away all distractions, turn off your internet, so you can create. Meetings are bad, distractions are bad, multitasking is fake, okay, fine. A lot of ideas of things to do, I'm not sure if I'm going to do any of them. I guess it was good to read to remind me that I am not creating much and don't have great work habits yet.
A very good book. The author very accurately points out how in this age of connectivity, we are closing the path to really savor best moments in life, failing to create amazing work and focus on living life instead of running through it.
It was nice to see some of the interesting points that the author put up was already in my mind for a while. Loved it, quick read this, should be useful for anyone who is active.
It was nice to see some of the interesting points that the author put up was already in my mind for a while. Loved it, quick read this, should be useful for anyone who is active.
Books like this are hard to review. There is a little bit of great content (e.g. the sections on letting go of goals, prioritizing, and single-tasking), on the other hand there is a lot of fluffy, generic advice like “practice mindfulness”, “get perspective” and “breathe”. Focus is worth skimming for the good advice, but not worth a careful reading.
A fantastic book that feels like a sip of fresh water on a very hot day. It is insane how close we are nowadays from those who are far and how far we are from those who are close. This book offers a ton of different ways to make everything you do more meaningful. I recommend that you not only read this book but even more, share it with the people you care about.
Great book that challenges work myths and offers excellent advice to become more relaxed, focused and productive at the same time. I am applying these techniques in my work right now and they are effective. Share this with as many people as you can.
No matter how crazy the world is on the outside, you can have peace on the inside.
No matter how crazy the world is on the outside, you can have peace on the inside.
Contained lots of productivity nuggets. Not as good as his last one, but still good. The book centers around stepping back, clearing distractions, simplifying, and focusing on what you are presently doing.
I loved his approach to creating and consuming--having a separate time for each and never letting them intertwine. And also the section on single-tasking was superb. Again, it was a good book but not my favorite.
I loved his approach to creating and consuming--having a separate time for each and never letting them intertwine. And also the section on single-tasking was superb. Again, it was a good book but not my favorite.
Great productivity book. Some of the ideas weren't new to me. I am a Zen Buddhist and have been living with focus for quite a while, but this is a great read for anyone trying to declutter and improve life in general.
Oh and this is the perfect book for artists who want to just create and shut off all the crap going on in the world... even for a while.
Great book.
Oh and this is the perfect book for artists who want to just create and shut off all the crap going on in the world... even for a while.
Great book.
A lot of the content in this book is very similar to Leo Babauta's earlier work, such as the "The Power of Less." However, I think the final part of the book, where he describes his Getting Amazing Things Done method finally clearly differentiates the book from the rest, bringing something new to the productivity discussion.
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Leo Babauta is a simplicity blogger & author. He created Zen Habits, a Top 25 blog (according to TIME magazine) with 260,000 subscribers, mnmlist.com, and the best-selling books focus, The Power of Less, and Zen To Done.
Babauta is a former journalist of 18 years, a husband, father of six children, and in 2010 moved from Guam to San Francisco, where he leads a simple life.
He started Zen Habits...more
More about Leo Babauta...
Babauta is a former journalist of 18 years, a husband, father of six children, and in 2010 moved from Guam to San Francisco, where he leads a simple life.
He started Zen Habits...more
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“Find a quiet place, and just read. If you’re reading an ebook, clear away everything else but your ebook reader.
Then you settle into the reading, and enjoy it. Bask in the luxury of reading without distractions.”
—
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Then you settle into the reading, and enjoy it. Bask in the luxury of reading without distractions.”
