#146 - Free to Focus (Chp 9 - Activate: Beat Interruptions and Distractions)

How to avoid interruptions:

• Limit instant communication. Turn off your notifications and opt for delayed communication whenever possible.
• Proactively set and enforce boundaries. Inform the relevant people you’re going offline for a period to focus by setting an autoresponder for your email. Sell your boss on why you need time for deep, focused work.

How to beat distractions:

• Fight technology with technology. Example: Freedom lets you customize what apps and websites you can access during dedicated periods of deep work.
• Listen to the right music. Background music that’s familiar, repetitive, relatively simple, and not too loud can aid focus (more on focus music).
• Take charge of your environment. Make your workspace work for you (more about productivity spaces). Optimize your current workspace for focus by eliminating distracting items.
• Declutter your workspace. Make an appointment with yourself on your calendar to organize your office – both physical and digital.
• Increase your frustration tolerance. Train yourself for focus by choosing to stick uphill tasks.