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In today’s fast-paced world, constant notifications—from emails to Slack—make it difficult to stay focused. These endless distractions can hurt productivity, especially with the perpetual allure of a clean email inbox. With this situation, what can you do to enhance your focus?
In this article, we’ve asked twelve thought leaders for their advice on mastering deep work. Their recommendations range from creating a minimalist work space to scheduling digital detoxes. Incorporating these strategies can help you maintain a steady focus throughout the day, whether you’re a business owner, student, or someone looking to improve their efficiency.
“In an era filled with distractions, mastering deep work is crucial for productivity. Can you share a personal technique or strategy that has significantly helped you minimize distractions and enhance your focus during work hours?”
1. Maintain a Minimalist Workspace
“I have found that maintaining a minimalist workspace is crucial for minimizing distractions. By keeping only the essential tools needed for my tasks at hand and ensuring a clutter-free environment, I’m able to focus better and process information more efficiently. This simplicity eliminates visual distractions and helps maintain a clear mind.
“To adopt a minimalist workspace, start by removing all unnecessary items from your desk and surrounding area. Keep only the tools and documents you need for your current projects. Regularly reevaluate your space and clear any accumulating clutter. This practice not only keeps your physical space conducive to focus but also your digital workspace by organizing files and closing unused applications.” ~Alari Aho, Toggl Inc
2. Create a Nightly To-Do List
“As someone who has been running at least two businesses for the past 10 years, and now has a family with two young kids, figuring out how to minimize distractions and focus better has sort of been my life mission.
“Here’s what helps me: Almost every night, I’ll write a simple to-do list on Google Docs. I don’t use any other productivity apps because I find most of them distracting with their bells, whistles, and automations. If your to-do list is distracting, how do you think your day is going to go?
“So, I make a simple checklist. I start it with a couple of tasks I can knock out right away. Then I add a few harder ones and finish with the rest. I try to complete everything by a certain time, too.
“Being super-organized is such an underrated skill. When I was younger, I used to work aimlessly because I thought I had too much to do, and it made it hard to focus. Growing up and adding more responsibilities to my life has forced me to find ways to be efficient and productive. My nightly to-do list on a simple document has made me far more focused and productive than I used to be.” ~David Martirosian, Galaxy Growth Media
3. Implement the Pomodoro Technique
“What has worked for me to cut down on distractions and really work, even more so when doing focused work, is the Pomodoro Technique. It is basically where you break up your work into intervals, usually 25 minutes, and then give yourself little breaks. I find that these focused bursts of work with small periods of rest keep my concentration from becoming too tired.
“Pick a task to be done, and set the timer for 25 minutes. During that time, you should only work on the task and not allow any other things to distract you. After the timer goes off, relax for five minutes by engaging in something that will clear your mind. You do four Pomodoros, then take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. This will help an individual to sustain a high degree of productivity while he or she obtains some mental rest periodically, avoiding tiredness and a decrease in motivation.
“For those who are willing to give it a try, the timing has to be adhered to strictly, and also no multitasking. With time, you would find that these periods of concentrated work were actually very productive, and of course, the breaks keep one refreshed. The Pomodoro Technique is flexible and can be manipulated according to individual wishes; therefore, it is practical for anyone who wants to enhance his or her focus and productivity.” ~Vit Koval, Globy
4. Plan Regular Breaks
“You might be thinking, “Don’t breaks lead to distractions?” The answer is yes and no. If I take too many breaks without a plan, they might become distractions. However, timed breaks—for example, ten minutes of relaxation for every hour of work—help me avoid distractions. These periodic pauses protect my mind from tiring, which causes it to wander and become more susceptible to distractions.
“For anyone considering implementing this, I recommend using a timer to guarantee regular and manageable breaks. Structured pauses in your routine might help you retain attention and productivity throughout the day.” ~Rebecca Xing, Trustana
5. Exercise and Hydrate for Focus
“Regular exercise and proper hydration help you sleep better. Working out also improves your brain’s feel-good hormones, including serotonin and dopamine. These hormones positively impact your concentration levels and creativity. Try to dedicate at least 45 minutes daily to a physical activity you enjoy.
“My workout routine is a bit different since I primarily work from home. I got a dog when I realized I struggled to adhere to my gym schedule. I take the dog out for a 45-minute walk in the morning, a 30-minute play session at lunch, and a 1-hour walk before dinner. The pup plays a critical role in ensuring that I exercise and hydrate. Sometimes, it is hard, but I have realized that the walks keep me focused and boost my concentration levels at work.” ~Dan Ben-Nun, Adspace
6. Practice Digital Detox Mornings
“In a world that’s constantly vying for our attention, it’s become increasingly difficult to truly focus. As a lawyer, being able to do deep work is super important for writing complicated legal stuff and giving good advice to clients. One cool trick that’s really helped me out is doing what I call ‘digital detox mornings.’
“Instead of diving straight into emails or social media, I set aside the first two hours of my workday for purely analog tasks. This means reading physical case files, handwritten notes, or even penning down thoughts in a journal. It’s a deliberate disconnect from the digital world. Surprisingly, this old-school approach has dramatically improved my concentration for the rest of the day. There’s something about the tactile experience of paper and pen that allows my mind to truly engage with the task at hand.
“You might be wondering how this could work in a modern office. It’s simpler than you think. Start by identifying a specific time block in your morning, maybe an hour or two. During this period, completely avoid screens. Focus on tasks that require deep thought or creativity. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish without the constant ping of notifications. Remember, it’s not about eliminating technology altogether but creating a focused oasis within your day.” ~Oliver Morrisey, Empower Wills & Estate Lawyers
7. Meditate to Start the Workday
“One of the techniques that has helped me most in keeping my focus sharp is mindfulness meditation before my workday. I meditate daily in the morning to clear my mind, attune my thoughts, and set a firm intention for the day ahead. It is with this practice that I tackle tasks with a composed, centered mind and reduce the likelihood of getting distracted by stress or other noises around.
“Now, to do this—find a quiet space, sit down comfortably, focus on your breath, and when your attention wanders, bring it back gently. If done regularly, what you will be doing is widening the scope of concentrated attention, staying present, which will help you become very productive with a general sense of well-being.” ~Lucas Botzen, Rivermate
8. Establish a No-Interruption Policy
“Adopting a no-interruption policy has been incredibly effective for maintaining my focus, especially during high-priority projects.
“I’ve set up specific times during the day when I let my colleagues know that I’m unavailable for non-urgent matters, which helps me stay in the zone without constant disruptions. This clear boundary has created a more predictable and productive work environment, allowing me to achieve more in less time.
“To implement this effectively, I’ve found that sharing my schedule with the team and setting status indicators, like using ‘Do Not Disturb’ on messaging apps, reinforces the policy. This has led to a more focused and less fragmented workday, boosting both my productivity and job satisfaction.” ~Michael Nemeroff, Rush Order Tees
9. Solve Puzzles for Focus Training
“For me, it’s not a gadget like noise-canceling earphones or DND mode (which both arguably do help), but rather a long-time learning thing. This might not sound intuitive, but I started solving rather complex riddles (puzzles, games, whatever you want to call them) scattered throughout the day. It’s an activity where you simply cannot succeed without utmost focus, and I try to do it in places where natural focus is limited, like standing at the bus station waiting for the bus.
“In an office situation, I’m then capable of switching on my internal focus mode and ignoring my surroundings to the point where people really have to go out of their way to get my attention. It’s like a muscle you can train.” ~Thomas Strobl, Fugoya
10. Use an Accountability Tracker
“One technique that has significantly helped me minimize distractions and enhance focus is using an accountability tracker I designed in partnership with an accountability partner. This method involves setting specific goals and sharing them with my accountability partner, with whom I talk briefly daily. Throughout the day, I track my progress against these goals and provide updates to my accountability partner, who does the same. This system keeps me on track and adds a layer of external accountability, making it harder to justify distractions.
“Others can implement this technique by finding a partner with similar productivity goals, establishing a routine of daily check-ins, and using a simple tracker or even a shared document to monitor progress. This approach creates a structured environment that encourages deep work by making distractions more visible and easier to avoid.” ~Rhett Power, Accountability Inc.
11. Time-Block Your Workday
“A trick that I have found helpful when it comes to improving my focus as a creative leader working with a team of creative people is the tactic of time-blocking. I segment my days into time blocks that are devoted to specific tasks, and then segment the spaces I’m working from so that they are less distraction-prone. For instance, I typically block off the first half of my days to work on strategic planning and creative ideation, and I block off the second half for administrative and operational work, as well as for meetings.
“To my fellow C-suite colleagues out there, begin by assessing what you are actually doing. What tasks demand your full attention? Schedule that time, block it out on your visual schedule or, preferably, on your digital calendar, and then track how you spend your time, adjusting until you minimize the amount of interruption and distraction you have to manage. Find a quiet space and work in it free of distractions. If you do this regularly and properly, you will find that paying attention and getting things done becomes easier over time.” ~Andrew Cussens, FilmFolk
12. Replace Noise with Silence
“One personal strategy that has really helped me minimize distractions and sharpen my focus during work hours is replacing noise with silence. It’s well-documented that noise can greatly affect productivity, concentration, and creativity. In fact, a study I came across mentioned that 69% of global employees feel the negative impact of noise distractions.
“To tackle this, I’ve found that using ambient or white noise can significantly enhance concentration. Sometimes, calming sounds or instrumental music are just what you need to drown out the disruptive background noise. I’ve experimented with noise-canceling headphones to block out external sounds, and sometimes I create playlists of music or sounds specifically designed to enhance focus.
“If you’re looking to implement this in your daily routine, start by identifying the kind of background noise that works for you. It could be white noise, nature sounds, or soft instrumental tracks. Try using noise-canceling headphones during your peak work hours. The key is to find the right balance between complete silence and beneficial background noise that can help you maintain your focus and productivity throughout the day.” ~Rosana Tejada Crespo, Tejada Solicitors Law Firm
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