Welcome to Leading People with me , gerry Marais , this week . It's One Simple Thing , where in each episode , I share a quick , actionable tip to help you bring out the best in yourself and others the best in yourself and others . One simple thing is created for young leaders , but hey , us older folks can still learn a thing or two . Ask my dog .
He's learned a few new tricks recently . Here's a question for you . Let's be real now . How often do you sit down to focus on something important , only to be derailed within minutes ? It's no surprise . We're constantly bombarded by interruptions , such as messages , emails , slack , pings and even well-meaning colleagues dropping by for just a sec .
And here's the catch Studies show that every distraction or interruption can cost you between 10 and 23 minutes to fully refocus . Now , that's a lot of wasted time . Let's do the math If it took just 10 minutes to refocus and you got interrupted once an hour , that's at least an hour of lost productivity every day .
And let's be honest , it's never just once an hour . Yeah , I know Some of you are rolling your eyes thinking I wish I only got interrupted once an hour . So here's one simple thing you can do today Create a distraction-free zone . And here's how . Step 1 . Identify your biggest distractions . Ask yourself what's pulling me away from deep work .
If it's your phone , put it on silence , flip it over or even put it in another room . If it's email or social media apps , shut them down for a set period , no more just checking real quick . If it's other people , set clear boundaries . Let colleagues or family know when you need uninterrupted time .
And if you're not sure what's pulling you away from deep work , then keep a time log for a week . From my own personal experience , this can be quite revealing . Step 2 . Time block your focus sessions . The best way to eliminate distractions . Plan for focus .
Block specific time slots in your calendar for deep work , even if it's just 30 to 60 minutes at a time , and during that time , commit to just one thing staying on task . No multitasking , no peeking at messages , just focused work . And step three create a distraction free environment .
For example , test out noise cancelling headphones or play gentle instrumental music or white noise , or turn off unnecessary , unnecessary browser tabs and apps Whatever works best for you . Because when you create the right conditions , your brain enters flow , that magical state where you're fully immersed and working at your best .
And when that happens , you'll accomplish more in less time , without the mental exhaustion that comes from constant context switching . So test this out for the next few days . Set up your distraction-free zone , protect your focus and watch your productivity skyrocket . And that's another one simple thing . Thanks for tuning in .
Remember , small steps can lead to big changes . Test out this one simple thing and notice how it transforms your day . Let me know how you get on . Reach out on LinkedIn and connect with me .
Mention the podcast and if you'd like to learn more one simple things , then subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast channel and follow our LinkedIn Leading People page . In our next episode of One Simple Thing , we'll explore another easy way to be a great leader by bringing out the best in yourself and those around you .
And in between , you can check out one of my longer conversations with leading people about yes , you've guessed it leading people . So until then , keep exploring and stay curious .