Focus using Ocean Waves

Simple, affordable, and effective: a very focused triple threat

Designers do a lot of getting ready to think about focusing on things. Anything that can help firewall our attention is appealing, and there are many concentration-enhancement tools. They're always fun to play with, but I keep coming back to the one that truly works for me: Ocean Waves, from Katsura Shareware.

The idea behind these tools is to block out the cluttery noise around you, so you can focus. They usually employ either nature/environmental sounds, or white/pink/brown noise. Ocean Waves uses the latter.

This is important, because instead of using a recording, Ocean Waves generates random simulations. No repetition, thus less distraction. There are also no seagulls, dolphins, whales in heat, buoy bells, boat toots, or anything else. Just the sound of the waves.

Controlling the seas

You can control the mix of large and small waves, their durations, and the interval between waves. It's just enough tweakability, but not so much that you get obsessed with it. (There's no slider for Ocean Depth, or Water Temperature, or Salinity.)

The result is surprisingly effective. I find that within a few minutes, I'm concentrating without thinking about it. To me, that is the mark of a successful tool -- when you realize that it's been working without you realizing it. I start up Ocean Waves, and by the time I get my apps launched and my windows arranged, I'm in Pacific Zen.

Environmental sound isn't effective when your mind can pinpoint where it's coming from. (For example, a sound generator with a cheap speaker sitting on your desk. *cough*Homedics*cough*) But Ocean Waves works well even through my Mactop speakers. You'll get best results with headphones, of course.

Other cool features: you can save an audio "wave mix" up to 400 minutes long, burn a wave-filled CD using iTunes, even download to your iPod. There are also Wake and Sleep timers, if you're into waking and sleeping.

I have only one nitpick with OW. The waves alternate between left and right, and when using headphones, I occasionally find myself noticing as all the sound swings from one ear to the other. I wish there was a Balance setting, to center waves in the sound field.

Ocean Waves is shareware, and costs only $10 -- very fair for something I use almost all the time. There is a generous 90-day trial, which is plenty of time to "sea" if you like it. (Rimshot. More dead ahead.)

At just ten clams, Ocean Waves is a real treasure, and I think yachtta try it. It's been a real lifesaver, if you get my drift, and has netted a place in my dock. So water you waiting for? Surf over and get the current version, then wave goodbye to distraction. I bet you'll think it's swell. I shore do.

(FYI: discarded puns include hooked, plumb, pier, sail, and others. The secret is in knowing when to quit.)

Focus is a very personal thing. But I encourage you to give Ocean Waves a try, and see if it helps you find your flow.

Ocean Waves website