Overview
Autofocus is a time management and task management system created by productivity expert Mark Forster. Unlike traditional prioritization methods, it uses intuition to guide which task to work on at any given moment.
How Autofocus Works
- Create a List: Write all tasks in a single long list in a notebook
- Scan the List: Read through the entire list without taking action
- Choose Intuitively: Select the task that "stands out" or feels most right to work on now
- Work Until Finished or Stuck: Work on the task until it's complete or you lose momentum
- Cross Off or Re-enter: Mark completed tasks as done; if incomplete, re-enter at the end of the list
- Repeat: Scan from where you left off and choose the next task
Key Principles
- Trust your intuition about what needs attention
- Don't force yourself to work on tasks you're resisting
- Resistance often signals the wrong time or approach
- Your subconscious knows what's important better than rigid systems
Benefits for Time Tracking
- Reduces decision fatigue by relying on intuition
- Creates natural task batching as you work on what feels right
- Encourages working on tasks when motivation is highest
- Results in more accurate time estimates as tasks are done when you're ready
Variations
Forster has created several variations including Autofocus 2, Autofocus 3, and other related systems, each refining the core concept.
