The variety of things at our fingertips can be overwhelming.  Any and all of it can distract you from what you're trying to get done.  Overcoming distractions requires something we call an awareness of focus.  If you are aware of what it feels like to be focused and productive, then you instinctively feel when you are distracted.  Once aware of the distraction, you take steps to regain your focus.

Many things affect your ability to focus.  Anything you can see, smell, touch, hear, or taste has the potential to distract.  These are physical distractions.  Other factors that affect your focus include your sleep cycle, what/when you're eating, exercise habits, and your emotions.  We call these mental distractions because they influence your mental state.

As you can imagine, the list of physical and mental distractions is huge.  Completely avoiding them is basically impossible.  Mastering distractions is not avoiding them, but overcoming them.  The difference between these two conceptions is vital. In the former, you've lost the battle once you've become distracted.  In the latter, the battle begins with the distraction.

This page contains excerpts from Chapter ii of On Insight