Tips for Deep Focus Work Sessions

Ever feel like you’re working hard but nothing actually moves? That’s the hidden tax of context-switching and most of us pay it all day long. Research shows it can take up to 23 minutes to climb back into deep focus after even a quick “got a sec?” ping. Multiply that by every Slack, email, and calendar pop-up and you’ll see why the day disappears. Here’s how I cut that tax to almost zero ⬇️ 1. Normalize asynchronous communication Urgency is rarely real. I tell my team: reply when you’re out of deep work, not the second a bubble lights up. It kills the always-on anxiety for everyone. 2. Park tasks outside your head Parking lot > To-dos. If a thought might boomerang while you’re in flow, capture it. Notebook, voice memo, Notion.....anything beats letting it rent space in your brain or causing you to jump from your current focus. 3. Batch, block and box Task batching: answer all email in one swoop Replying to LinkedIn comments at one time Time blocking: label calendar chunks “deep work,” “meetings,” “admin” Time boxing: Give each task a finish line before you start Structure beats willpower every time. 4. Remove the obvious distractions One tab. One window. One screen. Close what you know will drag you into a different head-space before it even tries. I literally ONLY have 1 tab open at a time. What do you think? Which of these is the hardest for you? Start here and you’ll buy back hours of true focus every week.

As an academic, I know how easy it is to feel pulled in a million directions. Between teaching, research, meetings, and deadlines, the distractions are endless. I struggled with this for the longest time until I discovered the power of deep, focused work. It changed everything. Now, instead of juggling tasks, I commit to structured, focused work sessions. Here’s what helped me, and it might just help you too: 1. Set Clear Priorities ↳ Know exactly what needs your attention before you start the day. For me, it’s the key research tasks that move the needle. 2. Time Block Your Tasks ↳ Allocate specific blocks of time for uninterrupted work. Teaching prep? 8-9 PM and 5-7 AM. Research? 1-3 PM. Editorial and industry engagement work? Fridays. No distractions. 3. Eliminate Distractions ↳ I turn off all notifications—emails, texts, you name it. A quiet workspace is the foundation of deep work. 4. Work in Sprints ↳ The Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes work, 5-minute breaks) has been a real game-changer. It keeps my energy and focus up all day. 5. Review and Adjust ↳ At the end of the day, I reflect on what worked and make tweaks for tomorrow. This small habit keeps me improving. If you’re feeling stretched thin, try making deep, focused work a priority this week. The results—both in productivity and peace of mind—will speak for themselves. Wishing you all a focused and productive week! #mondaybits #deepwork #FutureProofYourLeadership #focus #productivity

People don’t lose time. They waste it without noticing. A few years ago, I was drowning in busywork. My calendar looked full, but nothing meaningful was getting done. The shift happened when a mentor said: “You’re not overwhelmed. You’re operating without intention.” It stung. But it changed everything. I rebuilt how I worked, and my entire relationship with time transformed. Here are 8 simple steps that helped me finally take control of my attention: 1/ 2-Minute Rule. ↳ If it takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. Pro Tip: Set a 120-second phone timer to trigger instant action. 2/ Getting Things Done Method. ↳ Capture everything so your brain stops juggling unfinished loops. Pro Tip: Externalizing tasks lowers cognitive load and reduces stress. 3/ Eisenhower Matrix. ↳ Stop reacting. Start leading. Pro Tip: Prioritize based on impact, not who shouts the loudest. 4/ Task Batching. ↳ Group similar tasks to eliminate mental switching costs. Pro Tip: One batch for admin, one for creative, one for communication. 5/ Schedule It. ↳ If it’s not on your calendar, it’s not happening. Pro Tip: Treat your calendar like a contract with your future self. 6/ Plan Ahead. ↳ A few minutes of Sunday planning makes Monday feel lighter. Pro Tip: Keep it simple: 3 priorities, not a project plan. 7/ Pomodoro Technique. ↳ 25 minutes on, quick break, repeat. Pro Tip: Intervals prevent mental fatigue and keep you in flow. 8/ Monk Mode. ↳ Protect distraction-free windows so deep work can finally happen. Pro Tip: Communicate your focus blocks, it teaches your team to do the same. Mastering your time has nothing to do with squeezing more into your day. It’s about eliminating the noise so the meaningful work can rise. If you don’t own your time, someone else will. _________ ♻️ Share this with a leader who needs more focus and less chaos. 👋 Want a calmer mind and clearer days? Follow me (Dr. Chris Mullen) and get one actionable idea each week that helps you live with more intention: https://lnkd.in/gJTcghKK

How I Prioritize Deep Work as a Program Manager at Amazon Deep work isn’t about working longer—it’s about working better. Early in my career, my calendar was packed with meetings, leaving little room for focused, high-impact work. Then I noticed how a senior leader blocked out entire afternoons for “strategy time” with zero interruptions. That practice transformed my approach to time management. Here’s how I prioritize deep work effectively: 1️⃣ Time Blocking with a Twist I block at least two hours of deep work daily, but I also set an “emergency exit”—a single task I’ll switch to if urgent issues come up. This flexibility has prevented more than one deep work block from getting derailed. 2️⃣ Meeting-Free Mornings I reserve mornings for deep work and limit meetings to the afternoon whenever possible. This practice has doubled my productivity on complex tasks. During a recent roadmap planning session, this focus led to a clearer and more actionable plan. 3️⃣ Context Over Time I prepare a quick one-pager summarizing the context, goals, and next steps for every deep work session. This practice helps me get into flow faster by eliminating decision fatigue. Deep work isn’t about isolation—it’s about intention. If you’re struggling to focus, try blocking time for deep work with a clear purpose. How do you prioritize deep work? #DeepWork #Productivity #TimeManagement #Amazon

As an Autopreneur, I've learned that the key to success is not just working hard, but working smart. One of the most powerful techniques I use is deep work - focusing intensely on a single task without distraction. Here's my deep work routine to help you master anything: 1. Turn Off Your Phone Notifications, calls, and texts are the enemy of deep work. When I'm in deep work mode, my phone is on airplane mode or in another room. If you service low-leverage tasks, you sacrifice energy from higher-leverage activities. It's a zero-sum game. 2. Reduce Multitasking Studies show that multitasking reduces productivity by 40%. When I'm doing deep work, I focus on one task at a time. I break projects into small chunks and work through them systematically. Multitasking is the ability to screw everything up simultaneously. 3. Practice Mindfulness And Meditate Before starting a deep work session, I take a few minutes to meditate. This helps clear my mind, reduce stress, and increase focus. Mindfulness gives you time. Time gives you choices. Choices, skillfully made, lead to freedom. 4. Get More Sleep Adequate sleep is crucial for cognitive function and productivity. I aim for 7-9 hours per night to ensure my brain is well-rested and ready for deep work. Practice does not make perfect. It is practice, followed by a night of sleep, that leads to perfection. 5. Focus On The Present Moment During deep work, I aim to be fully present with the task at hand. If my mind starts to wander, I gently bring it back to the present. This takes practice, but you can train your brain to focus. 6. Take Breaks Paradoxically, taking breaks can actually improve your focus. After 60-90 minutes of deep work, I take a short break to recharge. I'll go for a quick walk, do some stretches, or just rest my eyes for a few minutes. Because taking a break can lead to breakthroughs. 7. Connect With Nature Whenever possible, I do my deep work sessions outside in nature. The fresh air, natural light, and greenery have a calming effect that aids concentration. I believe nature is not a place to visit; it is home. 8. Train Your Brain Deep work is a skill that can be trained and improved over time. Start with shorter sessions (25 minutes) and gradually increase the duration as you build your focus muscle. Continuous improvement > Delayed perfection. 9. Exercise Daily  Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your brain. It increases blood flow, releases endorphins, and promotes the birth of new brain cells. Movement is a medicine for creating change in your physical, emotional and mental states. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want more tips on how to achieve your goals? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/eaK8wGEG

This idea changed my life (it can do the same for you): → The Zen of Focus In the chaotic world of entrepreneurship, focus is the ultimate superpower. But with countless distractions and demands vying for your attention, it can feel like an uphill battle. Here's how to achieve zen-like focus and boost your productivity: 1. Embrace the power of silence: Noise is the enemy of focus. Find a quiet space, put on noise-canceling headphones, and create a distraction-free zone. Silence helps your mind settle into deep concentration. 2. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness means being present and fully engaged in the moment. Take a few minutes each day for meditation, deep breathing, or simply observing your thoughts. This builds your mental muscle for focus. 3. Use the Pomodoro Technique: Work in 25-minute sprints, followed by a 5-minute break. This method helps you manage time and maintain focus, preventing burnout. 4. Write down your MIT: Your Most Important Task is the one thing that will make the biggest impact on your day. Write it down first thing in the morning and make it your top priority. This clarity will keep you focused on what matters most. 5. Take regular breaks: Contrary to popular belief, breaks improve focus. Step away from your work every 90 minutes to recharge. Take a walk, stretch, or do something unrelated to work. Your brain will thank you. 6. Learn to say no: Focus is about what you say no to as much as what you say yes to. Guard your time and attention ruthlessly. Say no to non-essential tasks, meetings, and commitments that don't align with your goals. 7. Fuel your focus: What you eat and drink impacts your ability to focus. Avoid sugary snacks and drinks that cause energy crashes. Opt for brain-boosting foods like nuts, berries, and leafy greens. Stay hydrated. 8. Prioritize sleep: Sleep is the ultimate performance enhancer. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. A well-rested mind is a focused mind. Implementing these tips will help you achieve a state of zen-like focus, transforming your productivity and performance. Remember, building focus is a practice, not perfection. Start small, be consistent, and celebrate your progress. With the power of focus, there's no limit to what you can achieve as an entrepreneur. So go forth and focus like a zen master.

The urge to constantly check LinkedIn + email is STRONG. As an ADHD entrepreneur, how I (mostly) stay on task: So, I read that every time you context switch, it takes ~23 minutes to refocus. And personally, nothing feels better than a deep work session where you get a lot done imo. I kind of got addicted to the flow state high about 5 years ago. Started to actively work on getting better at it. Here's what worked... 1/ Put phone on airplane mode Do not disturb is a must. But airplane mode for focused work. Also, I don't leave it on the table or have it in my pocket. Put your phone somewhere you can neither see nor reach. Can't check what you can't access. 2/ Play focus music I have a few playlists that've basically Pavlovian-trained my brain for deep work. I burnt out on too much lofi so lately it's "Peaceful Piano" and "Nitroboost" on Spotify. I now even concentrate better with headphones even if there's no music. 3/ Use a Pomodoro timer Knowing a break is coming helps me power through that urge to switch tasks. I search youtube for the timer duration I want. (And whether I want music or not.) It's amazing what you can do in 20 minutes if you give yourself no choice. 4/ Take real breaks Since I work for myself, I don't have to pretend to be working. If I hit a wall with my focus or creativity, instead of fighting it, usually I just step away. Stand up. Move around. Go walk. Work out. Play a video game. Instead of pretending to work, I stop working entirely (until I feel refreshed). 5/ Multiple work spaces I usually work from my office, my couch, my recliner, or a table outside. All are in different rooms/spaces. If I can't concentrate in one, I'll move to a new location. Works wonders. I forget where I heard it, but someone once said, "The muse only shows up when you do." Like you can't just half-ass being creative. So now I focus on doing better, deeper work, and taking care of myself for longer. (Rather than pushing hard through everything) There's more, but those are the main 5: • Phone • Focus music • Timer • Breaks • Spaces By the way, for the timer, I originally started with just 5 minute writing sprints. It's crazy how hard it can be if you're used to being distracted. That's all for now. I'm back to writing more about content, business, and entrepreneurship in addition to smart uses of AI. If you want to learn from a guy who made $650,000+ in his first two years as an entrepreneur, tap that profile and hit me with a follow. :)

I used to start my mornings as a data scientist with no focus AT ALL: • Half-reading Slack messages • Browsing LinkedIn like it was Instagram • Clicking between open Jupyter notebooks with zero focus But then I built a simple Deep Work Start Sequence—and it completely changed how I show up to work. Here’s what I do now—twice a day, every day: Step 1: Water I know this sounds basic, but hear me out. Before I even think about code, I prepare my water bottle. Not coffee, just water and some electrolytes. It resets my brain. Like physically clears the fog. It’s a small win, but it sets the tone. Step 2: Deep Work Music Right after water, I hit play on a specific playlist I’ve saved just for deep work. Nothing with lyrics. Just low BPM, focus-first background music. (Link in the comment) I wear the same headphones, sit in the same spot, and signal to my brain: “Time to lock in.” This trick helps me get into flow faster—whether I’m debugging code or brainstorming a new ML project. Step 3: Cut Off Notifications This is the part I used to skip—and it cost me hours of productive time every week. Before I dive in, I go on Do Not Disturb. No Slack. No email pings. No calendar reminders. I even close out all non-essential browser tabs. I treat deep work like a meeting with myself—and I don’t want to get interrupted. (If I’m working in an open space, I’ll throw on noise-canceling headphones and lower my brightness to avoid visual distractions.) Once the world is muted, it’s like my brain finally has permission to go deep. Why This Works Each part of the sequence is tiny—but together they create momentum: • Water wakes me up • Music shifts my context • Notifications off = no excuses I can do the whole thing in 5 minutes. And when I repeat it later in the day? I get a second wind—without needing caffeine or doomscrolling to “reset.” ----- If you love ideas like this, you’ll love my newsletter. Every 2 days, I share Health and performance tips to land and keep a $100k+ Tech Job - while building a strong body and mind. (Link in the comments)

I used to think my struggle with focus was a productivity issue. Turns out, it was a neurological one. I’m not joking when I say this: The same part of your brain that helps you regulate emotions, craft powerful sales stories, and write C-suite proposals… ...is also the part that atrophies when you binge on dopamine: email, social, Slack, “quick wins.” Most reps aren’t lazy. Their brain is just out of shape. Here’s how to fix that: A few years ago, I hired a personal trainer. He put me through absolute hell: bear crawls, single-leg squats, ring pushups. Halfway through, I looked at him and said: “Why does this feel impossible?” His answer? “Because your muscles aren’t developed… yet. You’re not used to this kind of resistance.” And it hit me right then—this is exactly what happens in sales. When reps avoid writing POVs, building business cases, or planning strategic outreach…it’s not just procrastination. It’s brain fatigue. 🧠 The science: Your prefrontal cortex controls future planning, storytelling, emotional regulation—everything required for deep sales work. But most reps are addicted to short-term dopamine: → inbox clearing → CRM busy work → social scrolling → chasing tiny, meaningless tasks These spike the nucleus accumbens—the brain’s pleasure center. Do it enough, and you’ve trained your brain to crave easy wins and avoid deep work. And when the deep work finally arrives? Just like that first day at the gym... …it hurts. But there’s good news: You can re-train your brain. Just like you build physical muscle, you can build mental muscle. It starts with prefrontal reps. Here’s the 21-day protocol I now give to every rep I coach: Step 1: Buy a stack of index cards Step 2: Every morning, write down ONE deep work task: → Craft a POV → Build a deck → Write a cold email to an exec → Record a 1:1 video Step 3: Do it FIRST. No dopamine until the card is done. Step 4: Repeat for 21 days. Add a second task in week 2. A third in week 3. Do this and watch your brain change. Watch how you suddenly want to update your deck. Want to send strategic emails. Want to go deeper into your accounts. It’s not magic. It’s neuroplasticity.