Create a Phone Blocking System
I’m not a big fan of unintentional distractions, and you shouldn’t be either.
What is it
As you’ve learned by now, I’m not a big fan of unintentional distractions, and you shouldn’t be either.
So far, we’ve mainly talked about emails and general office interruptions as drivers of wasted time. But there’s another crucial factor most people overlook: how you handle your phone and phone calls. This also applies to apps like Slack, Teams, or any other communication tools you use for chatting or calls.
It’s important to know how to control your time, which includes managing when to engage and when to stay focused.
I’ve seen countless executives, employees, and even myself fall into the trap of feeling the need to answer every call immediately.
The logic is that you must always be available. I challenge that idea. Unless your job revolves around taking calls, like in customer service, there’s no reason to be on-call 24/7.
As mentioned, research shows that once distracted, it takes 23 minutes to regain focus. The issue isn’t just the 23 minutes you lose, but also the amount of non-essential, low-value conversations you get pulled into.
I’ve worked with senior managers who felt obligated to pick up every call, thinking it made them indispensable. But in reality, they spent 2-4 hours each day on unnecessary calls. That’s 25-50% of a normal workweek wasted!
You need a system to manage phone calls. So, here’s mine.
Complexity score (and why)
Score: 5/10
This tool scores higher on complexity because of the adjustment period for external partners and internal colleagues. If you’ve been known for always picking up, they might be confused when you suddenly stop. But if you implement the system the right way, it actually reduces friction instead of causing frustration.
How to implement
I use a structured system where I’m only reachable during specific time slots that align with my work schedule.
Remember, the more you’re disturbed during deep work, the longer it takes to complete. It’s easy to convince yourself that being available makes you a professional, but that’s just your brain chasing a dopamine hit. The truth is, if you want to grow your business, you need to eliminate distractions.
Check out how I do it in my 1-1 guide found in “The Effectivity Playbook”
The playbook also includes an audiobook so you can learn on the go and implement a meeting strategy. Here’s some more information about the book:
How do you manage your notifications? Hit me up in the comments! :)
Talk to you soon 👋
Casper
I built these startups to help you:
The Effectivity Playbook: My toolbox with the 20 most popular effectivity tools (incl. implementation guides)
First Book ai: Write your first book in days, not years, with our AI platform (used by +300 authors)
Effectivity coaching: Helping business leaders and teams reclaim 50% of their time in just 30 days
Follow my latest work on www.casperbrix.com
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