Like the now ‘classic’ video below, interruptions can be painful, whether you’re on a video call, phone call, or just trying to get a task done. As such here are some tips to avoid this.

Schedule and Share It. I tell anyone in the house what my schedule is for the day. They know (from me telling them) that at those times they should not bother me, plus they should not make too much noise (vacuum, exciting pets, playing music etc). My schedule is mostly phone/video calls, however sometimes includes deep-focus tasks too. I remind folks just beforehand if I don’t think they’ve remembered too (“Hey, just going on a call – be finished at 3 o’clock”).

Close Doors. I have an office room, therefore I can close the door if I need and this indicates I am not to be disturbed, except in an emergency. Fortunately my children are old enough to understand this now. You might even consider locking the door (that would have helped the guy in the video above). If you don’t have a separate room, consider getting (or making) a room-dividing screen or simply a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign that you can put out.

You’re Not Childcare. For young children, it’s pretty impossible to work productivity and offer your children care. It doesn’t work and attempting it is a big mistake … for your work, your child, and for you! If you can only get periods of childcare, then use those to work.

Decide When To React. Remember what would happen at home if you were actually in the office. Nothing basically. As such you can let some home calls go to voicemail, or let a delivery driver put the package in the safe place or with a neighbour. Don’t jump to everything, ignore some.

Hush Your Personal Mobile Phone. Simply turn the notifications sound down, and flipping the phone over is easiest. Allocate a specific break time for checking it.

Keep Your Work Laptop Clean. Don’t be tempted to put your own things on your work laptop. Often this breaks company policy anyway, but keeping personal items (apps, music, photos, websites etc) away from yourself during work time reduces potential distraction.

Keep Availability Promises. If you want people to respect when you’re unavailable, then they need to know when you will be available. If you keep letting them down and doing extra bits of work when you said you’d be free, then they’ll probably let you down sometimes! That’s only fair!