Distractions harm focus in a way that compounds.

External distractions: significant effect on office workers. Turn off/remove distraction options; brain prefers to focus on what’s visible. Internal distractions: Ambient neural activity causes stream of random memories. Default network takes over between focuses. Stopping or preventing distraction is difficult. Always scanning for surprises or changes which are distracting.rR1


  1. David Rock, Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long, 1st ed (New York: Harper Business, 2009). (See notes.)