Focus for Mac

Focus for Mac is an efficiency app that helps you stay on task by blocking access to certain Web sites you might distract yourself by visiting. Essentially, this app protects you from yourself, so that you can get your work done quickly.

Focus runs from your Mac's top toolbar, and clicking its icon opens a pop-up menu with options for Focus/Unfocus, Preferences, and Quit. The interface is highly intuitive, and you can choose to have either a black and white or color icon. Other customization options include the ability to make the toolbar icon turn Focus on and off rather than opening the menu. You can choose to block any sites you want, although the program comes already loaded with a long list of sites like Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Netflix, Reddit, TechMeme, YouTube, and other major sites. You can add to or edit this list at any time to make sure the sites you want to block are covered. When Focus is on, and you try to open one of the forbidden sites, you'll either see a message saying that the site isn't available or a quote about why it's important to stay focused.

This app works just as intended, and it has just the right combination of features to make it both convenient to use and effective. It's also a free program, so if you're trying to find a way to increase your productivity and stop wasting time surfing the Web when you should be working, it's a great app to try.