Balancing documentation, client communication, and working on multiple projects means I’m constantly switching between tasks. But staying focused is a challenge when instant messages and notifications keep pulling attention away. Here’s what helps me: Keeping my phone away – If it’s not within reach, I’m less likely to check it unnecessarily. Avoiding social media apps – Unless it’s directly related to work, I stay off them during focus hours. Responding only to work-related messages – Not everything needs an immediate response, so I prioritize what’s important.

To stay focused despite constant messaging, I schedule deep work blocks, use "Do not disturb" mode, and clearly communicate my availability. I embrace asynchronous communication, set checkpoints for handling messages, and use context-specific channels for different types of discussions. Additionally, I prepare questions in advance to minimize unnecessary follow-ups and use response templates for recurring inquiries. This approach helps me stay productive while maintaining effective collaboration.