The Importance of Breaking Bad Habits

4. Pursuing Distractions

We must focus on a task for 15 minutes straight before we become fully engaged in it. At that point, we achieve a state of heightened productivity known as “flow.” People are five times more productive when they are in the flow. A University of California Irvine study observed that once we are distracted, it takes over 23 minutes to get back into the flow. To accomplish tasks or enjoy conversations, avoid even a cursory peek at your phone for a specific amount of time. Check emails, notifications, and texts at a designated point in the day. Focus intently on the work or conversation at hand and commit to being present.