Stop Thinking About Time Management and Start Thinking About Focus Management
The Truth About Time: We All Get the Same 168 Hours
We only get 168 hours in a week. Nothing more, nothing less. Time is fleeting and often feels outside of our control. Between appointments, social hangouts, work, and homework, it’s easy to wonder:
When do I find time to study?
Many students try to juggle it all. You do your best to manage every demand, and studying ends up being pushed to the last minute. This often leads to sacrificing sleep and mental health, producing low-quality work, and getting lower grades.
It's frustrating when it feels like time is controlling you instead of the other way around.
What If You Could Study Less and Get More Done?
Here’s the good news. You can study less and actually accomplish more. The key is shifting from time management to focus management.
The Work Accomplished Formula
Intensity of Focus × Time Spent = Work Accomplished
This concept is supported by research in Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel. The authors emphasize that deep focus and active engagement are essential for effective learning, more so than simply spending more time with the material.
Understanding the Focus Scale: 1 to 10
Think of your focus like a scale from 1 to 10.
1 is complete distraction. You’re surrounded by noise, checking your phone, multitasking, or simply not mentally present.
10 is total concentration. You’re in a quiet environment, phone put away, brain fully engaged, and it’s your natural peak time of day.
Before each study session, ask yourself:
“What’s my focus level right now on a scale of 1 to 10?”
Then ask:
“What could I do to raise it by just one level?”
Small changes, like turning off notifications, moving to a quieter space, or using a focus timer, can make a big difference in how much you accomplish.
Why Focus Matters More Than Time
Let’s break it down with an example:
If you study for 3 hours at a focus level of 2 (low distractions, but not totally dialed in):
2 × 3 = 6 units of work accomplished
But if you study for 3 hours at a focus level of 10 (total concentration at your peak time):
10 × 3 = 30 units of work accomplished
That’s five times the productivity in the same amount of time, simply by improving your focus.
Discover and Protect Your Peak Focus Time
Everyone has a time of day when they naturally feel more alert and focused.
Are you a morning person?
Do you work best in the afternoon?
Do you come alive at night?
Identify your personal peak focus window and treat it as protected time. Schedule your most important tasks and studying during this time. You’ll get more done in less time, and the work will be higher in quality.
Try the One-Hour Focus Challenge
Ready to test your focus level and improve it?
Put your phone far away. Far, far away.
Eliminate all distractions
Set a timer for one hour
Before starting, ask:
“What’s my current focus level?”
“What can I do to increase it by one level?”Begin working and track what you accomplish
This simple practice can boost your awareness, improve your productivity, and help you develop stronger study habits over time.
Take Back Control with Focus Management
Time may feel limited, but your ability to focus is something you can manage. By increasing the quality of your attention, you’ll get more done, reduce stress, and free up time for the things you enjoy.
This method has helped many students significantly improve their grades and confidence. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters with intention and clarity.
Start using the focus scale today, aim for level 10, and see how your learning transforms.
Citation: Brown, P. C., Roediger III, H. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. Harvard University Press.
