Task management method created by Mark Forster that uses intuitive selection from a long list, working on tasks until they feel done, creating a natural flow through your to-do list.
Autofocus is a task management system created by British productivity expert Mark Forster. Unlike rigid prioritization methods, Autofocus uses intuitive selection and natural focus to work through tasks, making it ideal for creative work and fluctuating priorities.
Core Principles
No Prioritization
Tasks aren't ranked or sorted
You don't decide what's most important
Trust your intuition in the moment
Natural selection based on current state
Closed Lists
Work from a single, continuous list
Add new tasks only to the end
"Close" pages when moving forward
Creates commitment to listed tasks
Dismissal After Re-scanning
If you scan a page twice without doing a task
That task can be dismissed
Prevents perpetual procrastination
Clears deadwood automatically
How Autofocus Works
Setup
Tools Needed:
Notebook or notepad (physical recommended)
Or digital equivalent (plain text file)
Pen or typing device
Initial Brain Dump:
Write down every task you can think of
One task per line
No organization or prioritization
Include everything (work, personal, projects)
Fill multiple pages if needed
Daily Use
Step 1: Read Through
Start at the beginning of your list
Read each task slowly
Don't skip any tasks
Feel which task stands out
Step 2: Select a Task
When a task "jumps out" at you, select it
Based on intuition, not logic
What do you feel drawn to right now?
What stands out given your current energy/context?
Step 3: Work on the Task
Work on selected task as long as you want
Stop when you feel like stopping (even if incomplete)
Don't force completion
Trust your natural stopping point
Step 4: Mark Progress
If task is complete: cross it off
If partially done: make a note of progress
If you stopped but want to continue later: leave as is
Step 5: Continue from That Point
Resume reading from where you selected the task
Read forward through the list
Select next task that stands out
Repeat the process
Step 6: Dismissal Rule
When you reach the end of a page without selecting anything
Go back and re-read that page
If still nothing stands out, dismiss remaining tasks
Cross them off or move to a "someday" list
"Close" that page (no more additions)
Step 7: Add New Tasks
New tasks always go at the end of the list
Never insert them earlier
Maintains flow and commitment
The "Autofocus" Element
The name comes from how your mind naturally focuses on what's most important right now, like a camera's autofocus:
Your intuition knows current priorities
Energy levels affect what stands out
Context makes certain tasks more appealing
Natural rhythms guide selection
This automatic, intuitive focusing is more reliable than forced prioritization.
Variations
Autofocus 1 (Original)
Single continuous list
Work through sequentially
Dismiss after second scan
Simplest version
Autofocus 2
Separates "old" and "new" tasks
New tasks at end until they're "mature"
Mature tasks can be selected from anywhere
Prevents newest tasks from dominating
Autofocus 3
"Pre-selection" of multiple tasks
Create short list of candidates
Then intuitively choose from short list
Better for very long lists
Autofocus 4 (Final System)
Current page and next few pages are "active"
Can only select from active pages
Forces you to address or dismiss old tasks
Prevents list from growing indefinitely
Most balanced version
Super Focus (Related System)
Even simpler than Autofocus
Work on first task that stands out
If you don't do it, dismiss it
Very aggressive clearing
When Autofocus Works Best
Ideal For:
Creative Work:
Writing, design, art
When inspiration matters
Variable energy states
Project-based work
Fluctuating Priorities:
Entrepreneur or freelancer
Reactive roles
Multiple clients
Changing deadlines
Procrastination Issues:
When rigid systems create resistance
When you rebel against structure
Need for autonomy
Intuitive workers
Long, Mixed Lists:
Work and personal combined
Many small tasks
Ongoing projects
Varied task types
Less Ideal For:
Strict Deadlines:
Time-critical projects
External dependencies
Client deliverables
Team coordination
Highly Structured Work:
Assembly line tasks
Process-driven roles
Scheduled appointments
Fixed sequences
Key Benefits
Psychological
Reduces Resistance:
No forcing yourself to do "shoulds"
Work with natural energy
Autonomous choice
Less procrastination
Respects Intuition:
Trusts your judgment
Acknowledges context
Honors energy levels
Realistic about capacity
Clears Mental Clutter:
Everything captured in one place
Automatic dismissal of perpetual tasks
No decision paralysis
Flow state more accessible
Practical
Simple System:
Easy to learn
Minimal overhead
No complex rules
Low maintenance
Flexible:
Adapts to changing priorities
Works with any schedule
Handles interruptions
Scales to any list size
Gets Things Done:
Natural selection = better follow-through
Dismissal rule prevents stagnation
Continuous progress
Completed tasks accumulate
Common Questions
"What if I never select important tasks?"
If a task never stands out:
It may not be truly important to you
Context may not be right yet
It may need to be broken down
Or it's time to dismiss it
Trust that if it's genuinely important, it will eventually stand out (or become an urgent problem you have to address).
"What about deadlines?"
For tasks with hard deadlines:
Add deadline to task description
"(Due Friday) Finish report"
As deadline approaches, task will naturally stand out
Or set reminder separate from Autofocus list
Or use hybrid approach (Autofocus for most, separate deadline list)
"My list grows too long!"
This is what the dismissal rule prevents:
Tasks that don't stand out after two scans get dismissed
Prevents accumulation of zombie tasks
If something's important, it will stand out
Long list means you need to dismiss more aggressively
"How do I handle urgent requests?"
New urgent items:
Add to end of list
But if truly urgent, select immediately on next scan
Genuinely urgent tasks will jump out
Allows quick response while maintaining system
Tips for Success
Trust the Process
Don't second-guess selections
Your intuition knows more than you think
Forcing "important" tasks creates resistance
What stands out is right for this moment
Be Honest with Dismissal
If you skip a task twice, really look at it
Do you actually want to do it?
Is it realistic?
If not, let it go
Dismissed tasks can always be re-added
Respect Your Stopping Point
When you feel like stopping, stop
Even if "almost done"
Forcing completion creates burnout
Natural rhythm is more sustainable
You can always select it again later
Keep List in One Place
Don't scatter across multiple notebooks
One continuous list
Sequential pages
Maintains integrity of system
Review Dismissed Tasks
Periodically look at what you've dismissed
Patterns reveal true priorities
May realize what you actually care about
Can re-add if circumstances change
Combining with Other Systems
With GTD:
Use Autofocus for Next Actions list
GTD for capturing and organizing
Autofocus for selecting and doing
With Time Blocking:
Block time for "Autofocus session"
Use intuitive selection within block
Protects focus time
Provides structure without rigidity
With Calendar:
Calendar for appointments and deadlines
Autofocus for discretionary work
Separate tools, complementary purposes
Who Should Try Autofocus?
Ideal if you:
Resist traditional prioritization
Have creative or variable work
Trust your intuition
Want simple systems
Struggle with procrastination
Need flexibility
Have long, mixed task lists
Not ideal if you:
Need strict prioritization
Have many hard deadlines
Prefer logical, analytical approaches
Work in highly structured environment
Need to coordinate with others
Want maximum efficiency
The Philosophy
Mark Forster's insight: Your intuition, in the moment, knows better than your rational mind what to work on next.
Factors your intuition considers:
Current energy level
Available time
Mental state
Physical environment
Recent work
Emotional capacity
Interest and motivation
Skills currently accessible
No prioritization system can account for all these variables as well as your in-the-moment intuition.
Bottom Line
Autofocus trades rigid structure for natural flow. It acknowledges that productivity isn't just about logic and discipline—it's also about energy, intuition, and working with your nature rather than against it.
If traditional task systems feel oppressive, Autofocus might be the liberating alternative you need.
