What is Monk Mode?

Working from home poses a constant challenge for many people, especially when it comes to maintaining focus despite distractions. Between emails and notifications from WhatsApp and social media, it’s easy to waste hours on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This situation usually reduces productivity and creates mental imbalance. However, there is a popular solution that promises to help you regain focus and efficiency: “monk mode” do you want to know what it’s about? Here we explain it to you.

What is Monk Mode?

Monk mode is a concept that has gained notable popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, where users share various tips for peak productivity using the hashtag #monkmode.

Inspired by the disciplined life of monks, this method proposes to eliminate distractions and concentrate on one task for a sufficiently long time, resulting in a noticeable increase in productivity for those who work from home. This mindset is an effective way to avoid burnout from juggling too many tasks at once.

According to a survey conducted in May by Blind, nearly 45% of technology workers indicated they spend four hours or less in flow states in which they focus exclusively on high-priority tasks.

How to use monk mode?

Josh Wood, CEO and founder of hospitality technology company Bloc, shared his experience implementing this methodology with Business Insider since mid-2022. He assures that the first thing to do is set a specific goal, and then create a schedule for activating and deactivating it. monk mode and finally eliminate all distractions.

Wood recommends starting to practice monk mode for short periods of time until you reach a point of maximum concentration. You can start with just 30 minutes and gradually increase it until you reach an hour or several hours without distraction. Depending on the goal you need to achieve, you can do shorter sessions, such as 10 minutes, and then take a break.

The key to monk mode is to eliminate anything that might distract you from the main task. This includes turning off your phone, closing apps, and deactivating notifications on your computer and email so that nothing unrelated to the target gets in the way.

Wood began practicing monk mode daily, and after a month of constant practice, he became accustomed to not looking at his cell phone, searching for unnecessary information on the Internet, or checking email on momentary impulses. After 20 or 30 attempts, he noticed significant adaptation and tangible results in his productivity.

For those working from home, Wood stresses the importance of educating others about the transition to monasticism. It’s not just about controlling electronic devices; It is very important that the entire environment is conducive to concentration.

Creating a monk routine and making it a habit requires daily repetition. With consistent practice, Wood says he can now stay focused for more than two hours, at least once or twice a day.

Applications to make monk mode easier

If you need help entering monk mode, you can use some mobile apps. One of them is Freedom, which allows you to temporarily block websites and apps that waste your time. There’s no limit to the number of devices (including Mac, Windows, iOS, and Chrome) you can connect to the platform, so you can block apps, websites, and social media wherever you are and whatever you do.

Another app you can use to utilize Monk Mode is Forest, which turns concentration into a game. Whenever you want to focus on work, you can plant a tree in the app, and for the next 30 minutes, that tree will grow while you work. However, if you exit the app to check Instagram, for example, the tree will die. If you use Forest regularly, you can grow a vast virtual forest that reflects your focus and dedication.

As you can see, monk mode has become an effective strategy for those who want to regain focus and productivity in a work environment full of distractions. With testimony from Josh Wood and support from apps like Freedom and Forest, it’s clear that monk mode can be a transformative habit for people working from home or in digital environments. By adopting this method and using the appropriate tools, we can develop greater concentration and achieve higher levels of productivity in our daily activities.