Work More Efficiently on Your Mac: 1Focus and Time Blocking

Mar 19, 2025 by Vreny Blanco · 13 min read · Focus, Digital Wellness, Time Management

Calendar template illustration, creative planning — Image by Freepik

When working on your Mac, distractions like social media, news, emails, and notifications can quickly derail your productivity. That’s why using a blocker on your Mac can be a game changer.

In this blog post, you’ll learn how to integrate the Mac app 1Focus with the popular time management method called “Time Blocking”. This powerful combination will help you optimize your workday and stay focused on your tasks.

What is 1Focus?

1Focus is an app and website blocker for Mac designed to help you stay focused and avoid procrastination. It temporarily blocks digital distractions, such as distracting websites and apps, allowing you to concentrate fully on your tasks.

Whether you are looking to block YouTube on Mac or set up a porn blocker for Mac, 1Focus provides the tools you need.

Benefits of Using 1Focus on Your Mac

If you’re looking for an app blocker for Mac or wondering how to block certain websites on your MacBook, 1Focus is the solution.

Availability and Compatibility:

1Focus is a free website blocker.
It is exclusively designed for Mac and is available on the Mac App Store.
With 1Focus, you can easily block websites in Safari and other popular browsers like Chrome, Brave, Edge, Opera, and Arc.
You can also effortlessly block apps according to your schedule.

Customized Blocking Features:

Set a defined blocking schedule and frequency.
Create multiple custom block lists for different purposes like study, work, or sleep, making it an ideal productivity tool.
Effectively block access to XXX content, making 1Focus a reliable porn blocker for Mac.
Block websites on Mac without relying on parental controls.

Fewer Distractions and Higher Productivity:

1Focus effectively eliminates digital distractions and encourages monotasking.
It helps you reduce screen time by scheduling limited access to distracting websites and apps.
Reduces exposure to unwanted or addictive content.
1Focus helps reduce excessive internet use to protect your mental health.
All these benefits lead to a noticeable increase in daily productivity and an improved quality of life.

Privacy and Security:

1Focus securely blocks websites and apps without compromising your privacy.
It does not track browsing activity or modify computer settings, ensuring your online privacy and security.

Ease of Use:

Features a simple, intuitive, and user-friendly interface.
No browser extensions needed.
1Focus provides a clean, straightforward system that gets the job done!

Benefits of Using 1Focus if You Have ADHD

Minimizes Digital Distractions

1Focus is especially useful for people with ADHD, as it helps minimize digital distractions like social media and games, allowing you to concentrate on important tasks.

Enhances Time Structuring

By blocking non-essential apps and websites, you can better structure your time and significantly increase your productivity.

Facilitates Screen Time Management

1Focus also facilitates screen time management, which is crucial for those who tend to spend hours on unproductive activities.

Promotes Healthy Activities

By limiting access to certain apps and websites, you can dedicate more time to healthy and productive activities.

Improves Sleep Quality

In addition to improving concentration and productivity, using an app and website blocker contributes to digital well-being by reducing screen time, especially at night, which can significantly improve sleep quality.

You will be fully committed to the rules you set for yourself. Just type the websites you want to block, and you’ll have no choice but to focus on your work!

If you want to block websites and applications on your children’s Mac, consider using Parental Control. This application, derived from 1Focus, is specifically designed to protect children online and features password protection for added security.

What is Time Blocking?

Time Blocking is a time management technique that divides your day into specific blocks, assigning each block to a particular task or activity. Unlike a simple to-do list, this method reserves specific periods to focus exclusively on one activity.

Benefits of Time Blocking

Effective task prioritization.
Reduction of multitasking.
Clarity on time usage.
Reduced stress and increased productivity.

Benefits of Combining Time Blocking With 1Focus

Integrating Time Blocking with the 1Focus app allows you to structure your routine effectively, minimize digital distractions, and significantly boost your daily productivity. Key benefits include:

Improved Time Management

Planning your day in specific blocks and using 1Focus to eliminate distractions ensures each task receives the necessary attention, enhancing overall efficiency.

Increased Focus

1Focus blocks digital distractions, allowing you to concentrate exclusively on the task assigned to each time block.

Increased Productivity

Strict adherence to established time blocks helps you complete more tasks in less time.

Stress Reduction

Structured planning and distraction elimination reduce anxiety and stress at the end of the day.

Calendar Planning Illustration — Image by Freepik

How Time Blocking Works

1. Make a List of Your Daily Activities

Write down all the activities you usually do from when you wake up until you go to bed. For example:

Morning Routine: Waking up, breakfast, exercise.
Work Activities: Meetings, projects, emails.
Personal Tasks: Family calls, pet care, cooking, cleaning.
Evening Routine: Dinner, relaxation, planning the next day.

2. Calculate How Much Time You Need for Each Task

Next to each task, note how long it takes to complete. Be realistic and specific. For example:

Morning Routine: 60 minutes.
Work Activities: 8 hours daily.
Personal Tasks: 3 hours daily.
Exercise: 60 minutes.
Evening Routine: 90 minutes.
Sleep: 8 hours daily.

Review the total hours and distribute them efficiently in the following steps.

3. Organize Your Time Into Blocks

Use digital tools like Google Calendar or Apple Calendar. You can also use a notebook or a sheet of paper.

For activities that repeat daily, create recurring events in your calendar and assign them a distinctive color. For example, activities can be organized into color-coded blocks:

Work: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Exercise: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM.
Stretching: Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM.
Breakfast: Daily, 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM.
Short Breaks: Daily, at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Lunch: Daily, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
Dinner: Daily, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Various Activities: Daily, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Evening Routine: Daily, 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Bedtime: Daily, starting at 9:30 PM.

You can create additional calendars for family activities, medical appointments, or special events. Assign distinctive colors to quickly identify each activity when viewing your calendar.

Tips for Effective Time Blocking

Prioritize Your Tasks

Schedule the most important activities during your most productive hours. For example, in the provided image, work hours are divided into two blocks (8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–5:00 PM). If you focus better in the morning, plan deep work sessions in the first block and leave less demanding tasks for the afternoon.

Include Regular Breaks

Set aside specific blocks for short breaks. It’s important to refresh your mind and rest your eyes. Short breaks help prevent burnout and maintain concentration and productivity. In the image, short breaks are scheduled at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. You can integrate the Pomodoro Technique within your blocks to plan regular breaks.

Use Multiple Calendars

Use different calendars to visually organize various aspects of your day (work, family, health, etc.). Assign specific colors to each activity, making it easy to quickly identify each type of task.

Adjust as Needed

If a task takes longer than expected, rearrange subsequent blocks to accommodate the situation.

Maximize the Benefits of Time Blocking With 1Focus

Once you’ve organized your day using the Time Blocking technique, it’s crucial to protect those time blocks to ensure you can complete the planned tasks. One of the biggest threats to productivity is digital distractions, such as social media, entertainment websites, or constant notifications. To address this issue, you can integrate your calendar with a digital distraction blocker like 1Focus.

How to Integrate 1Focus With Your Time Blocking Plan

Following the example of the calendar we discussed earlier, let’s say you’ve set up work blocks from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. During these times, you can configure 1Focus to automatically block distracting websites like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as non-essential apps. This ensures your attention remains on the tasks you’ve scheduled in your calendar.

If you’re a student looking to block websites temporarily for studying, 1Focus can help with that too. Simply adjust the settings to fit your unique lifestyle and needs.

By combining the Time Blocking technique with 1Focus, you create an optimal work environment free from digital distractions, making it easier and more satisfying to achieve your daily goals. Whether you use the free version or 1Focus Pro, the app adapts to your needs.

1. Identify Your Digital Distractions

Before setting up 1Focus, analyze your digital habits to discover which websites or apps consume most of your time. This will help you clearly identify what needs to be blocked. On your Mac, follow these steps:

Go to System Settings → Screen Time → App and Website Activity.
Analyze how much time you spend on specific apps and websites.
Identify and note all the apps and websites that distract you.
Create a list of these distractions to add them later to the block lists in 1Focus.

2. Customize Your Block Lists in 1Focus

Once you’ve identified your distractions, set up different block lists according to your needs. For example:

Work
Study
Rest or Sleep: During nighttime hours, you can block the internet, the App Store, and installed web browsers.

3. Schedule Blocking According to Your Time Blocks

Set the blocking duration in 1Focus to match exactly with the blocks defined in your calendar. This way, you’ll ensure your attention is fully focused on the planned tasks.

Tips for Managing Website Access in 1Focus

Create allowlists: Block all websites and applications that are not relevant to your current work or project, and grant access only to the sites you need.
Set up website exceptions: Allow access only to sites crucial for your work, like LinkedIn, Google Drive, or specific tools. This is particularly helpful when you block “all websites” or block web pages by category.
Enable the pause feature in 1Focus: Use this feature to access blocked content temporarily during emergencies or unexpected situations. It’s also useful if you accidentally block a helpful page. Remember, blocking settings in 1Focus can only be changed when the app is inactive. To avoid waiting for a blocking cycle to end, enable a scheduled pause. This allows access without compromising productivity, as the pause is time-limited.
You can find more information on managing website access in our guide: How to block websites and set scheduled access on your mac.

How to Schedule Blocking Events in 1Focus During Working Hours

Referring to the previous example, here’s how to create recurring blocking events from Monday to Friday. You can choose to create a single blocking event from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or two separate events in the same preset: one from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and another from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Blocking From 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Steps:

Open 1Focus.
Create the preset “Work.”
Select the websites and apps you want to block.
If desired, enable the pause feature in 1Focus, while blocking is still inactive.
Go to the “Schedule” tab.
Click the “+” button under the “Schedule” section.
Set the start time to 8:00 AM and the end time to 12:00 PM.
Click the “(-)” icon under “Repeat” and select the “Monday–Friday” frequency.
Click the “+” button again under the “Schedule” section to create a new blocking event.
Set the start time to 1:00 PM and the end time to 5:00 PM.
Click the “(-)” icon under “Repeat” and select the “Monday–Friday” frequency.
Test your settings and make necessary adjustments. Try accessing a website that should be blocked. When a website is blocked by 1Focus, you’ll see the 1Focus arrow icon along with a motivational quote.
Confirm the block by closing the 1Focus window.

Blocking From 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM