When we jump between tasks, we pay a switching cost. That cost feels like mental friction: it takes time to re-enter the context and rebuild concentration. Studies on workplace attention show that interruptions are frequent and that it can take time to return to the original task.
Focus windows are a practical response. Pick a window of 45 to 90 minutes and protect it. Turn off notifications, close extra tabs, and keep a short list of the exact tasks you intend to finish.
Don’t make focus windows heroic. Make them repeatable. Two calm windows
every day beats one intense burst once a week.
For teams, it helps to align on “quiet hours.” If everyone knows when deep work happens, fewer interruptions reach the wrong person.
- Start with two 60-minute windows each day.
- Protect the first 10 minutes for ramp-up.
- Batch small requests outside the window.