If you are using the new Viva Insights plugin in your MS Outlook in O365, you may have noticed new item sin your calendar like Focus Time or Take a break. This is all scheduled based on your activity by the Viva Insights plugin. As it seems good idea, I have found it very intrusive and annoying.
If you are interested in finding more about the Viva Insights and its abilities check the Microsoft official page here: FOCUS TIME
Research shows that it can take an average of 23 minutes to refocus on a task after being interrupted. Constant distractions during focused work can cause higher stress and lower productivity. It is difficult to focus on challenging work when you only have small chunks of time available between meetings or are distracted by incoming emails and chats. Blocking a few hours every day to focus without interruptions can help you make progress on your important tasks and projects.
Viva Insights can help you protect time for focused work and minimize notifications (and thus distraction) from Teams chats and calls while focusing.
It is up to you if you want to use it or simple remove it from your calendar. You may know better manage your time 🙂 Here are the steps to remove/disable it in your Outlook:
1. Open Outlook, click new email.
2. Click the “Viva Insights” button, located in the “Home” tab of the toolbar.
3. Click the gear icon on the top left of the section that opens once you’ve clicked on “Viva Insights”.
4. Set the “Focus Plan” option to “Off“.
Enjoy!