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You are more productive when you work undisturbed on your core tasks. Everyone talks about deep work and "blocking time" - but empty calendars attract meetings.
Here is how Google Workspace helps you focus and get more done.
Work fills the available time. Google Calendar allows you to set yourself up for success.
How to plan focus time
How to plan focus time
To create a focus time block, simply click your Calendar - just like you normally do to schedule an event. Note: Double-clicking throws you into the old, full-page editor which only supports normal events. Click once.
Who can see my focus time?
If you do not share your calendar with the organization, others will see your focus time as "busy" blocks. They will be indistinguishable from events.
To share your calendar, select Make available for <company>: see all event details. What good is focus time if nobody knows you're not to be disturbed?
Auto-decline meetings
Auto-decline meetings
Focus time blocks come with the best feature of "out-of-office" events: If you chose, Calendar can automatically block new events (2 in the screenshot above). This helps you with long blocks of time, or if people do not look at your calendar before booking.
Track using Time Insights
Track using Time Insights
Google Calendar comes with Time Insights, your personal dashboard on how you spend your time. Focus time is now integrated, so you can check if you're allowing enough time for deep work.
Color events
Color events
I'm a big fan of managing my calendar using colors. You can color your focus time as well - perhaps one color for project work, one for personal organization?
Time insights - I'm having a good week!
Google Chat displays your focus time
Google Chat displays your focus time
Currently rolling out: Chat will display that you're in a meeting, out of office or in focus time!
People know before they send a message. Maybe they'll ask someone else if it's urgent. Smart automation makes collaboration more efficient.
Those status messages are separate from your available/DND/away status. Not every person, every meeting is the same - and your multitasking muscles might atrophy if Chat hid messages in every meeting. Flexibility and power to you!
Everybody values deep work - now, Google Workspace will help you carve out the time for reading, organizing, analyzing, writing and researching. I have changed my "time blocks" into meaningful focus time events. Go ahead and do the same: Re-create your time blocks (they can be recurring!), or think where you need new ones. Thank you for reading!
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#calendarPublished 2022-03-24 by Holger Matthies.Modified 2022-03-24 by Holger Matthies.Written listening to Weltmusik - Aksor
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