Add "Interrupt" to FOCUS Mode
John Kranz
When I am in FOCUS mode working a specific task, I would like to have the ability to click on an "Interrupt" button that automatically allows me to create a new task that will begin automatically in Focus mode once entered.
Justification: I have been working various tasks today only to find myself interrupted with new tasks that had to take place at that time (like extended business call or project call). Since I did not foresee this task happening, it would be great to create and switch to this newly-created task on the fly while in FOCUS Mode.
Joel Studebaker
I would really appreciate this! I have a couple thoughts with real-life scenarios:
Add a task from Focus screen and start right away
- Interrupted by an urgent call -- want to log it as a task and enter it in focus mode right away for time tracking and notes.
- Reminded of an unplanned task I need to complete urgently
Add a task from Focus screen and schedule or add to backlog
- Working task about FTP. Realized we should audit one of our servers. Want to make a backlog task without leaving focus and without losing the thought.
Track interruptions without creating a task -- more about tracking my own focus than about task management. Would be nice to enter an interruption, time lost, and even categorize interruptions (Email, Slack, Avoidance, Cats) to gain insight into habits.
- Working on a task and find myself distracted by email, Slack and lose 5-10 minutes
- Working on a task and find myself intentionally avoiding it.
- Working on a task and find myself playing with my cats
Shahar Har-Shuv
A nice idea. Even though "interruptions" are distructing, having this built-in, could enable you to "complete" the interruption and immediately be reminded about what you should focus on! Otherwise, you might forget and work on a third thing...
Michael Dion
100%! I'm one of the primary workhorses here at my company, but I'm also one of the founders, and the primary point of contact. I can plan things out all I want, but there's not a day that goes by that I don't get derailed by a phone call or email that changes the course of the day, sometimes immediately in that moment.
I am working on building in time to re-evaluate the day after lunch, so that may help, but the interruption feature would make it a much smoother process :-)
Jay Cassano
Interesting idea, as this often happens to me too. Though I wonder if this defeats the point of Focus mode/Sunsama.
John Kranz
Jay Cassano: I agree with you! What I'm learning as a new user is how I get interrupted and my goal is to try and reduce the amount of interruptions. However, if Sunsama could track "interruptions" that could also be something good to measure and provide feedback on, so for a weekly review, I may see I was "interrupted" 23 times during the week, etc. In other words, I think it can reinforce becoming more focused by tracking bad stuff like interruptions when they do happen.
Alexander Kim
Jay Cassano: it probably defeats it to a degree however a managers role is to unblock others and that often means being interrupted yourself. So I think this is a must.