Emphasis vs DayNinja

You sit down to work. 40 seconds later, your hand is already reaching for your phone. Familiar? You’re not lazy. Modern life is engineered for distraction, and trying to force yourself to focus through sheer willpower simply doesn't work. Emphasis doesn’t force you to fight your own brain. One tap, a gentle ambient sound, a steady rhythm—and you’re already in a session. Ended a focus block after 12 minutes instead of 25? That’s 12 minutes of deep work you didn't have before. In Emphasis, every minute counts. 4.7 · 20,000+ reviews · Lightweight at just 75 MB Whether you’re navigating an ADHD brain, tackling a heavy study load, or trying to find clarity in a chaotic work week, Emphasis is a sanctuary from the digital noise. We took the science of the Pomodoro technique and turned it into a gentle, intentional rhythm that respects your natural energy levels. DESIGNED FOR YOUR FLOW STATE: * Immersive Sonic Spaces: Silence background distractions with curated ambient soundscapes. From subtle rhythmic pulses to meditative nature tones, create an environment where getting started feels effortless. * The Focus-O-Meter: Awareness is the first step to change. Select the apps that pull you away from your work and watch your Focus-O-Meter rise as you choose presence over the scroll. It’s not about restriction—it’s about reclaiming the time that belongs to you. * Tailored Focus Blueprints: No two brains work the same. Our onboarding learns your workflow needs from the start, letting you fully customize your session lengths and restorative breaks to prevent burnout before it begins. * Progress, Not Perfection: Focus is a practice, not a destination. Use beautiful, minimalist progress charts and calendar stats to recognize your personal patterns of success and celebrate your consistency. * Apple Ecosystem Sync: Your focus journey shouldn't be tied to one desk. Emphasis syncs seamlessly across your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch to keep your rhythm steady wherever you go. At just 75 MB, Emphasis won’t bloat your device, but it will help clear your mind. Join thousands of us who are choosing a kinder, more intentional way to live and work. Download Emphasis today and let’s find your rhythm together. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

DayNinja combines the best productivity methods in the world: Pomodoro technique ™ by Francesco Cirillo, GTD by David Allen, Deep work, timeboxing and more all in one FREE app. Backed by scientifically proven time management methods this free pomodoro focus timer app will help you to be more productive. Some features include: - Day View: Integrates with your calendar. See your focus tasks planned out between appointments. - New Day: DayNinja cleans up old tasks and resets your timers ready for you to re-prioritise focus goals each day. - KPI Performance streaks: Measure your focus each day and compare with daily performance charts. - Metrics: Learn how many hours you spend doing focused work, breaks and the time you will finish your workday based on your goals and appointments. - To-do: prioritise your days’ tasks by drag & drop. - Target block count & estimates: keep motivated with focus goals, set your personal daily targets. - Optimised user interface: Quick swipe actions to keep you in flow throughout your day. - Customise your block & break durations as you grow your ability to focus. - Tags let you see at a glance related tasks and projects in your todo list. - Satisfying sounds keep your day light and a smile on your face as you slash through tasks. - Flow state friendly: keep working when you get in the zone and your focus time is still tracked. - Focus time summary: receive a report of your total focus time each week. The ideal productivity tool for founders, professional freelancers, designers and coders. --- From the author: "Do you know how many hours of your day are actually productive, focused time? Whether it be phone calls, emails, your smartphone or well-meaning colleagues tapping you on the shoulder for a “Do you have a minute?” kind of chat, our days are bombarded with interruptions. Before we know it, the day is over and we are left feeling rather down and thinking "Eek!? ...Is that all I got done today?" Now let’s just assume that it is possible to work in a quiet place away from external interruptions. Our own minds are an even bigger source of distraction, with a new thought entering our minds every 3 minutes! Unless we have a system, a method, a process - whatever you want to call it, the outcome is likely to be the same day after day: stressful mess bouncing between other people’s agendas and not getting your most important work done. Sound familiar? This app has been inspired by proven productivity techniques: Pomodoro timer: The idea is to work in predetermined blocks of time. To do this, simply break a task up into 25-minute segments without stopping or getting distracted. Getting Things Done®: Begin with a to-do list for the day and classify tasks according to priority. --- You have allocated tasks, time, all under your own terms, you have achieved your goals, performed every task with a sense of quality and you finish every day satisfied. It sounds simple, and it is… in concept, but don’t expect to master this technique right away. It takes weeks of practicing the method day in and day out. It takes discipline. I have strayed at times when overwhelmed, I have reached the end of the week and wondered, “Where did I achieve this week”. It is those weeks when I have failed to be disciplined and failed to use the app. I have let other people’s agendas overrun my own. Researchers have proven that self-control is one of the key determinants of success. When you exercise self-control and self-discipline through a good part of your day, it cannot help but spill over into other areas of your life... How you eat, sleep and your health and happiness. Stick with it, and you too will be a DayNinja. Nathan Challen theDayNinja.com Want to learn more? read: “Zen and the art of getting Sh*t done” & Medium or subscribe for more productivity tips. Psst! Looking to induce the flow state more easily? get free training at https://theDayNinja.com