When you're trying to concentrate, a lot of the time distraction comes from other people. People in the house, people sending you messages, people just being annoying (but well-meaning) people.
People are distracting. But if used right, they can actually be insanely good for increasing focus.
Doing deeply focused work alongside other people — whether online or in-person — adds a level of intensity and accountability that most of us can't muster on our own.
It forces you to show up — and to show off.
Here's how to do it:
- Schedule a day and time in your calendar to do a deep work session and invite people to join you.
- Treat it like an important meeting, where everyone shows up on time and prepared.
- Don't engage in small talk before the session starts.
- Set a timer and work for 30 minutes, then take a 10-minute break.
- Don't talk to each other during the break. Just recharge yourself.
- Repeat for 2 to 4 cycles.
The takeaway: Commit to others that you'll do deep work, and you're much more likely to not only show up but to work with greater intensity and focus.
