This was originally published in the “Career Hacks” column of a client’s internal newsletter; shared with permission.    

Notebook Cellphone Blogger

Turn off your phone, log out of email, and mark yourself unavailable for IMs. It’s time for a blackout.

Unlimited communication is both the boon and the bane of the workplace. On one hand, you’ve got a world of information at your fingertips and the ability to contact your manager or coworkers whenever you need input. On the other, they also have the ability to communicate constantly with you – and that can be a major distraction from the focus your projects require.

Consider taking a blackout.

By scheduling a designated “blackout time” of 30 minutes – or more – free from calls, email, and messaging, you give yourself a dedicated period to focus. Planned time without interruptions can give a significant boost to your productivity.

Read more about how phone-free time helps your brain, your meetings, and your decision making.