Please Don't Interrupt

We are so used to mega-multi-tasking these days and being interrupted all the time. Even if we secure a quiet hour with no emails and no phones, we will interrupt ourselves out of sheer habit. The urge to switch tasks and lose focus can be so strong that it's difficult to resist. However, every time we change tasks, we sacrifice time spent re-focusing ourselves. For work involving a sustained stream of thought or attention to detail, this constant shifting can dramatically increase the amount of time it takes to finish something. Constantly jumping around between tasks may be a part of life sometimes, but when you're ready to focus, you might need some help.

Stop external interruptions

• Make focused time a priority by blocking it off on your calendar.
• When the time comes, turn off your phone.
• Close your door if you can.
• Ask others ahead of time not to interrupt you.
• If you're working on or near your computer, turn off any auto-alerts from email, Twitter or other tools.
• If you are in a work environment and are normally expected to respond to emails very quickly, let your key contacts know you're not available till a certain time, or set an out-of-office message.
• If random sounds distract you, or if you're stressed out, put on some quiet and neutral music. If you're doing something physical or tiring, put on something energetic and upbeat.
• Close your door, if feasible.

Stop internal interruptions

• Pick one project to work on at a time.
• Make sure you have all the tools and resources you think you will need readily available.
• Start out as relaxed as possible. Stretch, take a few deep breaths, or whatever you to do to relax.
• Start working.
• If something else pops into your head that you want to do or worry that you might forget, don't stop to do it, not matter how short of a time it might take. Write it down on a piece of paper, which you can review and act on at the end of your period of focused time.
• If you feel stuck, don't change projects - write down or sketch out some brainstorming ideas on what you might do next for the project you chose at the beginning. Just don't stop, and don't give up.
• If you hear yourself saying negative things in your head about yourself and your project, take a few deep breaths, notice them and let them go. If you want to examine them later, you can jot a few words about them down on your notepad as a reminder.
• When your time is up, take a break... even if you're in a good groove or conversely if you're frustrated with not having gotten a lot done. Either way, you can come back to your project and do more work on it.
• Celebrate your efforts, even if you weren't perfect. Reward yourself in some small, satisfying way.
• Make an appointment for another bout of super-focused time.

How do you improve your focus? Does doing just one thing at a time help you with your time management?