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enraged_camel

I read the article. Some of the advice might be valuable.

For me though, it's fairly straightforward:

- Decide what I need to work on, and try to visualize the end result as clearly as possible

- Put phone on DND

- Turn off email clients

- Close browser tabs not related to work

- Put on noise-canceling headphones with some music that has no lyrics (e.g. electronic, synthwave, etc.)

Then I work.

I can stay in "the zone" for many hours using this method, and tend to accomplish my best work. Furthermore, I can do it uninterrupted, except for the occasional 5-minute restroom break.

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That is about the opposite of what works for me. A total absence of other signals isn't good. What I need is an "attention sponge". When attention lifts for a moment from the actual work, the "attention sponge" will hold it for a while, but that sponge is specifically chosen to not hold on to it.

An example is a background where a TV series runs that I watched 9 times already, let's say Babylon 5. The work computer has an attention accident (maybe just slow or whatever). My attention lifts from work, and B5 catches it before it goes off who knows where. Since B5 is not interactive and since I've seen it 9 times already it easily releases the attention so that it can go back to work.

I wrote more here: https://medium.com/@MartinCracauer/on-attention-focus-and-au...

Unfortunately this is a no-go for so many people that do not have concept of "respecting the zone". People get angry at me for not being available at the drop of a pin these days, and when I cut off my email clients I miss important impromptu meetings, and so much more!

What we need is a messaging service that can only do preset phrases that comprise 99% of the distractions: Impromptu Meeting. Catering. Potential Hire. Change of plans. Emergency.

You would only have a few messages you can send a week, too, so you can't spam it with nonsense.

I don't think it's possible to achieve Deep Work reliably unless you have full control over your work environment and schedule and can shut off distractions without getting reprimanded or suffering from FOMO.

This is a non-negotiable term for me when I interview.

Another thing I noticed about myself: I have "moods". Sometimes I feel like dicking around (like right now!), and in those situations I don't even try to get into Deep Work because it takes a lot of energy to do so. But a few hours later my mood will shift, and when that happens I need to be able to catch that window of opportunity and get myself in the zone quickly. From there, it's off to the races.

I've found that most work arrangements can't accommodate this type of arbitrary work habit. Which is why I'm currently employed at a very small firm where everyone is remote, and I have a super awesome manager who trusts everyone fully.

>suffering from FOMO.

What kind? HN, normal news, politics?

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