Get things out of your head with a braindump. Move what isn't urgent to the Backburner, then pick a few priorities from what's left and work through them one at a time, with calming sounds in the background.
What can help
Braindump
Start by emptying your head. Dump every task swirling around into Marvin. Once it's all captured, it stops nagging at you and you can see what you're dealing with.
Backburner
Get the non-urgent stuff out of sight. Move anything that doesn't need to happen now to the Backburner. It's safely parked, so your list shows only what's actually live.
Importance Levels
Mark how important tasks are so the few that matter stand out, and you can focus on your top priorities.
Read more about Importance Levels
Super Focus Mode
See one task at a time on your screen, so there's no list to be overwhelmed by.
Read more about Super Focus Mode
Focus Music
Play calming background sounds while you work through your few priorities. Try the bird song. Birdsong has been shown to calm your nervous system and signal safety to your brain, which is exactly what an overwhelmed mind needs.
Ideas to try
Empty your head first. Press Tab + Space to open Braindump and type everything on your mind, one task per line. You can add details after a dash, like Call dentist - tomorrow, 15m.
Then shrink the pile. Move anything that doesn't need to happen soon to the Backburner. Mark the two or three things that matter most as important.
Then do one thing, calmly. Press F to start Super Focus Mode on your day list. Focus Music starts on its own when you enter focus mode (you can turn this off), with birdsong as the default track.
How to turn on a feature
Open the main menu and click Features, or press S.
Search for the feature by name and turn it on.
Choose where you want to reach it in the Access dialog that opens.
You don't have to try everything at once. Pick the one that sounds most like you, use it for a few days, and see how it feels.
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I have trouble focusing
Focus has a lot to do with the health of your nervous system and your habits. Try focus music, and practice doing one thing at a time with Super Focus Mode and Top of Mind. Use timers to stay focused for longer and longer stretches, and take breaks to recover.
What can help
Focus Music
Play background music designed to help you concentrate while you work.
Super Focus Mode
See one task at a time on your screen, with nothing else to pull your attention away.
Read more about Super Focus Mode
Top of Mind
Keep your current task pinned in view everywhere, so the moment your attention drifts there's a reminder of what you're meant to be doing.
Timers
Work in focused sprints with built-in breaks using the Pomodoro timer. A simple rhythm that makes staying focused feel doable, one short push at a time.
Ideas to try
Short sprints with breaks. Press T to open the timer and choose the Pomodoro (tomato) timer. Work until it rings, take the break, repeat. Focus Music can start automatically when a work session starts.
Build up slowly. If 25 minutes feels long, start with a shorter timer and add a few minutes each week. Focus is something you can train.
Make drifting obvious. Use Super Focus Mode and Top of Mind together. Your current task fills the screen in Marvin, and stays in view in a small window wherever you are.
How to turn on a feature
Open the main menu and click Features, or press S.
Search for the feature by name and turn it on.
Choose where you want to reach it in the Access dialog that opens.
You don't have to try everything at once. Pick the one that sounds most like you, use it for a few days, and see how it feels.
Related articles