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Comment by b1gtuna | Hacker News Reader

I try to avoid leaving a game or Youtube video open when I am "working". When I try to multitask, I get more frustrated. In the long run, the frustration turns into depression. So I try to tackle one task at a time nowadays. The difficult part is ignoring the phone. It is always within my view, if not within my arms reach. Just the sheer sight of my phone seems to take attention away from me. I don't know what to do with it though... I can't take it offline because my family needs to reach me. Perhaps a smartwatch would help?

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> I try to avoid leaving a game or Youtube video open when I am "working".

Slightly related: Almost all my "work music" is wordless, instrumental.

Programming tasks rely heavily on the language-portion of your brain, which are biologically hardwired to monitor your environment for speech, whether you like it or not. Anything sufficiently speech-like will generate an interrupt-signal in your head and steal some of your time and attention.

> Slightly related: Almost all my "work music" is wordless, instrumental.

Slightly related to your already slightly related comment: SomaFM's Drone Zone radio channel has really helped me focus in our open space.

I flip my phone over (screen-side down) on my desk and place it in vibrate on top of a book or something to absorb the buzzing. Works, but not sure why or if it has the same effect for others.

What's worked really well for me is keeping my phone in a drawer close to my desk, with all notifications turned off except calls from my contacts. I also have an Apple Watch which only notifies me if someone is calling.

I am noticeably more focused / less anxious with my phone put away. Meditation (Headspace app) helps a lot too when my mind feels "noisy".

A smart watch helped me (Garmin). I find it's a nice balance. For example, let's say I'm working with my hands on my keyboard. When an email or text message comes in, I glance at my wrist, I see who it is and maybe the subject, and then I continue working without reaching for my phone or mouse. MacOS is pretty good for that with the notifications - integrated with iphone and email, but I've moved away from Apple. If didn't get these notifications, I'd be wondering if it's important or not, so i just take second to look.

I don't think a smartwatch would help, you'd just change what you're looking at.

What I do if I need to not be distracted: - turn off all essential notifications on phone - put your phone on silent - place phone behind your view to the left or right, upside down

This way if your family needs to reach you, they'll call/message and you'll hear it vibrate and handle it. Otherwise you won't even see it. Just make sure they are only contacting you for real things, and not to say hi, at least when you're trying to concentrate.

Yes, let me do that right now actually. I placed my phone charger underneath my desk, so it is out of my view. It will ring when I get a call. Didn't need a visual cue. One less clutter on my desk!

I totally relate to this; when I am multitasking I start getting irritable and frustrated. I do it a lot because I am trying to be ultra-productive, but I am starting to realize it would be better for my relationships and my work if I just take time to focus on one thing at a time; including the context that when I am not working, I don't think about working.

Thanks for bringing up the term ultra-productive. That's exactly why I began multitasking only to realize it is just far better to work on one thing at a time for the performance and for my happiness. It took me a long time to realize this, but I am glad I figured it out.

Conversely I try to always have a Youtube video open because it allows me to exert control over the constant background distractions. The conversation happening a few desks away doesn't register over the Youtube video, and I'm prepared for the distraction that the Youtube video is providing.

Have you tried meditating? If I understand correctly it is supposed to train you to do exactly what you want: to be able to focus intently on one thing and not get distracted.

Funny you should mention meditation. It is something I am trying to incorporate into my life since early this year. Nothing fancy, I just use some guided meditation I find (usually 10 min long) and close my office door and listen to it. Unfortunately, I have yet to experience the full benefit of meditation since I only manage 2 sessions a week. However, when I it properly (ie, I don't get interrupted), I breathe better, my body is relaxed, and the head is clear.

I thought the purpose of meditation was ultimately loss of ego, gaining perspective and understanding of our endless yet futile cravings and desires.

It’s pretty funny that we have adopted it as a tool for self improvement. If I meditate I can work harder, have less stress and better output! The reality is If you step into meditation wondering what personal gains you will get out of it you are already failing in a way.

> I thought the purpose of meditation was ultimately loss of ego, gaining perspective and understanding of our endless yet futile cravings and desires.

Not the ones I have been to.

> The reality is If you step into meditation wondering what personal gains you will get out of it you are already failing in a way.

Well that is subjective isn't it? I enjoy meditation and feel like it has made me calmer and less depressed. I certainly do it because I think it helps my mental health and it seems to be working. I would personally consider it a great success.

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