What is unique about the autofocus system?

Mark Forster, a British personal effectiveness specialist and author of books on time management, proposed it.

He believes that sorting tasks based on subjective opinions about their priority is, at best, useless and, at worst, even harmful.

So, Forster created his autofocus system, which helps balance what seems most urgent and vital.

"Autofocus," in this case, means that we pay attention to the task that "catches" our brain and feel that it is ready for us to complete it. It does not sound obvious, and Forster emphasizes that it is difficult to explain but easy to feel.

According to him, the autofocus system balances the rational and intuitive processes in our heads — conscious and unconscious.

The sensible part of our thinking is more likely to pay attention to more urgent tasks, while the intuitive part is more likely to pay attention to more important ones.

When we use the autofocus system, these parts decide what to focus on.

Forster writes that this approach helped him significantly increase the work done, reduce stress, and speed up routine tasks.

How to use the autofocus system

Marc Forster's method involves five steps:

1. Write down all the tasks you need to do and skim through them, but don't take any action.
2. Go back to the beginning of the finished list and study it more carefully until one item attracts your attention.
3. Work on the chosen task until the moment you no longer have the desire to do it.
4. When you stop working on a task, cross it off the list. If you haven't completed it, add this item again to the list, but at the end.
5. Continue looking through the list and choosing things that stick out to you.

If you find it challenging to manage a long list, divide the tasks into four categories: new, recurring, unfinished, and old.

Start the day with a new task, and when you feel it's time to stop, choose the next one from the repeated ones, and so on.

If you haven't completed any new tasks in a day, move them to the old group. Repeat the process daily to make progress in all four categories.

The autofocus system may seem chaotic and awkward at first. Forster formulated several rules that will help you get the most from it:

• Trust the system. Even when working without a clear plan seems impossible, continue to use autofocus. If you stay focused on the tasks you have chosen in this way, you will gradually begin to cross items off your list much faster.
• Use common sense. If an urgent matter arises, deal with it immediately. Move the task you worked on before to the end of the list so as not to forget and return to it later.
• Put the date after the first task you add to your daily list each time. It is optional but will help you track your progress.
• Record tasks you must complete at a specific time on your calendar.
• Review the list every time after a long break from work, for example, after a weekend or vacation.
• Include creative tasks on the list, such as brainstorming or information gathering. They are often not perceived as full-fledged tasks, but they can be. And you will intuitively feel when you are ready to do them.
• Don't add personal errands, such as lunch or a doctor's appointment, to the list. If necessary, create your list for them and view it separately from your work.
• Do not edit the list. The point of the autofocus system is not to determine priorities in advance but to listen to your feelings here and now.