Protecting attention.
WHY IT MATTERS
Recovering concentration after interruption takes substantially longer than the interruption itself.
WHAT THAT MEANS
Frequent brief interruptions consume far more than their duration.
WHAT THE SOURCES ARE
People arriving Messages and calls Notifications Your own habit of checking
WHY THAT LAST ONE DESERVES MENTION
Self-interruption is frequently the largest source.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Periods when you are not available.
HOW LONG
Long enough for substantial work.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT PEOPLE
Tell them when you are available, and be reliably available then.
WHY RELIABLY
If you are never available, people interrupt regardless.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
A regular time when anyone may raise things.
WHY
It reduces interruption by providing an alternative.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT MESSAGES
Check at intervals rather than continuously.
WHY
Continuous checking prevents any sustained work.
WHAT TO TURN OFF
Notifications, during protected periods.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT URGENCY
How genuinely urgent matters reach you.
WHY
Without a route, everything is treated as urgent.
WHAT TO ASK WHEN INTERRUPTED
Whether it requires you now.
WHAT MOST INTERRUPTIONS ARE
Questions someone could answer themselves, or matters that could wait.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT REPEATED QUESTIONS
Document the answer.
WHY
It removes the interruption permanently.
WHAT TO ACCEPT
That some interruption is the job.
