Learn the Rules of Distraction

Hone your focus at work with tips from author and productivity expert Chris Bailey.

Lend your attention to Hyperfocus: How to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction, Chris Bailey’s latest book.

Illustration by Chris Gash

Q: What can you do to limit distractions in the workplace?

A: “Mold your environment so that it’s not full of things that pull your attention away from what you want to be doing. Looking around my office, I have a whiteboard that I use to brainstorm. I have things that elevate my mood: plants, pictures of people I love, a meditation cushion. I have business books that remind me of the ideas I’ve encountered. What I don’t have, though, are a lot of devices. My iPad is in another room.

My computer has a distraction blocker—I use an app called Freedom—and I’m not able to consume any news at my work station. When I sit down at my desk, I knows it’s time for work.”

Q: How do you deal with unpredictable interruptions, like a chatty co-worker?

A: “When our attention is interrupted by somebody else, it takes us, on average, 29 minutes to resume working on what we were just doing. We can’t always control the nature of our distractions, but we can control how we relate to them. The key is to have fun with the distractions that are a welcome reprieve from our work, but quickly deal with the more unwelcome distractions. That way you can get back on track faster.”

Q: Are distractions ever a good thing?

A: “They are often necessary when we’re doing work that’s collaborative. We’re constantly getting information from other people, and they’re constantly getting information from us. Interruption is just a byproduct of collaboration. You should allow yourself to be available and open when you’re doing collaborative work.”