#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.