Start a focus session on your Mac from a clean desktop
Focus is easier when the desktop is clear. A short reset routine beats willpower: close everything, open only what the task needs, and silence the rest.
Why a clean start works
Every open app is a small invitation to switch. Starting from zero removes the invitations and makes "what am I working on?" the first decision, not the twentieth.
A five-step reset
- Save and quit everything. Use a Shortcuts action, the ⌘ Tab then Q trick, or a tool like Zap. Apps that quit the standard way still ask about unsaved work.
- Turn on a Focus. In Control Center, enable a Focus so notifications stay quiet. You can customize which people and apps may break through.
- Open only what the task needs. One document, one browser window, one reference. If you need something else, open it then.
- Hide the dock and menu clutter if it distracts you. Auto-hide the Dock in System Settings → Desktop & Dock.
- Set a timer. 25 to 50 minutes is a common range. When it ends, take a real break, away from the screen.
Keep what must stay
Some apps should survive the reset: a music player, a terminal, a notes app. In a Shortcuts action, you can choose apps to leave open. In Zap, you lock them with a click on their icon, and they are spared every time.
Make it a ritual
A ritual works because it is the same each time. Pick a trigger (after lunch, after a meeting, first thing in the morning), run the reset, then begin. A one-click reset removes the friction that makes people skip the routine.
Questions
How do I get into deep work on a Mac?
Close everything, turn on a Focus so notifications stay quiet, open only what the task needs and work in a time block of 25 to 50 minutes.
Can I keep my music playing during the reset?
Yes. In a Shortcuts action, pick the apps to leave open. In Zap, lock the music app so it is always spared.
Do I need a special app for focus?
No. macOS has Focus modes and Shortcuts built in. A one-click tool just removes friction from the reset step.