Key Takeaways (TLDR):
Topic: Why distraction (not time) is the real productivity problem for small business owners, and five practical ways to become distraction-proof in your work and life.
What you’ll learn: Whether or not it’s a time management or an attention management problem holding you back. My guess is it’s the latter! Research from a 2010 Harvard study found that the human brain is in a state of wandering or distraction 47% of its waking hours, and our society is deliberately designed to make that worse. This post reframes the productivity conversation from time management to attention management, covers five specific strategies for removing distractions from your business and life, and makes the case that becoming distraction-proof isn’t a productivity hack, it’s a lifestyle.
Who this is for: Entrepreneurs, coaches, service providers, and small business owners who feel like they never have enough time, struggle to focus deeply on the work that matters, and are ready to stop blaming themselves for a problem that is partly wired into human biology and partly engineered by the world around them.
Written by: Emily Aborn, Small Business Copywriter and Podcast Host of the Small Business Casual Podcast, based in NH.
Becoming Distraction-Proof & Clearing the Clutter
You don’t need more time.
You don’t need more motivation… inspiration… another planner, course, shiny object… you need LESS distraction!
Less distractions, less clutter, more attention and simplifying. These are the keys to clarity in this episode of Content with Character.
What if “Time” isn’t the Bottleneck?
I recently stumbled upon a Substack article written by Matt DiGeronimo, author of Writerly Things called “Time is Not the Bottleneck. Attention Is.” The following stood out to me in his musings…
We all have the same 24 hours. The billionaire and the barista. The poet and the plumber. But why does it seem like some people squeeze symphonies out of their day, while others barely manage a squeak? The answer isn't in how they use their time, it's in what they give their attention to.
The time management world has taken a bit of a wrong turn…
We’ve been treating the issue/problem of TIME and productivity all wrong. Productivity books, hacks, magical morning routines – I blame it all.
Time gets a bad rap most of the time. Or, maybe like me, you blame yourself when you “run out of time”, “never have enough time”.
I think the real issue is distraction, which in our defense is only 53% of our fault (more on that in a sec).
In his article, Matt goes on to say:
“Time feels scarce because your attention is scattered.
We’re not running out of time, we’re being robbed of it, one notification at a time. Time keeps ticking. But attention? That’s a currency we’re spending recklessly, without a budget.”
It’s not entirely our fault.
Your brain is wired for distraction and is in a state of distraction or natural wandering 47% of the time it’s awake!
This stat comes from a 2010 Harvard study by Matthew Killingsworth and Daniel Gilbert, where participants were pinged randomly throughout the day and asked three things:
- What are you doing right now?
- Are you thinking about what you’re doing?
- How are you feeling?
Across 250,000+ data points, the results showed that people weren’t thinking about what they were doing almost half the time, and this was true regardless of the activity (working, commuting, relaxing, etc.).
Even more interesting? They found that mind-wandering often made people less happy, even if they were thinking about something pleasant.
So, it’s not you, it’s not me…
We’re wired to be mentally elsewhere almost half the time. But there is something we can do about it, so it doesn’t cost us presence, impact, and peace.
Our society is set up to distract us:
- Commercials are loud, flashy, practically shouting their agendas at you
- There’s a lot more busyness overall in life as we age and increase our responsibilities
- Website pages are riddled with pop-ups, ads, email list sign-ups, cookie acceptance… distractions
- Don’t even get me started on social media and the infinite scroll and endless source of distraction
- Plus, don’t forget the everyday pings and dings from texting to email to Voxer to Whatsapp, you name it!
But we get a choice to reclaim some of our attention.
To CHOOSE what we want to focus on and give as much of our attention to that. We can actively remove distractions in our lives and business. And in doing so, reclaim our TIME, peace of mind, and presence.
The reason I say time management isn’t the solution is because it’s not JUST about time. You also need to increase attention.
Productivity isn’t just about getting things done. It’s about using your TIME in a way that’s effective and impactful.
Time + attention together = a life-changing combination.
So, here are five ways I came up with to remove distractions from your business and use your TIME and attention together to create some seriously magical momentum.
5 Ways to Remove Distractions:
1) Set up Your “In the Zone” Zone
Otherwise known as your focus fortress, your attention oasis, your productivity palace, your think tank. This is about creating intentional time and intentional spaces for yourself to do your best work without competing tasks and priorities.
It’s not just about blocking off time to get it done but also blocking distractions that might keep you from getting it done. Those distractions could be anything from unfinished thoughts to competing priorities to things on your desk.
Tips:
- Brain dump mental clutter
- Close ALL tabs except for the ones needed for the task at hand
- Set your desk up in a way that’s uncluttered, cozy, and inspiring, with everything you need
- Close your office door if you have to!
- Put your phone in DND (Do Not Disturb). This is a game-changer!
- Put on focus music or a similar “focus cue” to prompt your brain
Focus rituals are extremely effective. Your brain loves predictability and you’ll be teaching it that these are “cues” for creative/focused work.
2) Use Weekly or Daily Attention Setting Goals
I typically map out my weekly schedule in advance and prep for each day the night before.
This way, I can also regularly check in with what I didn’t get done, look at where my attention slipped, and make sure I’m sort of doing an ongoing “attention” audit.
There are times when stuff gets crossed off my list at this point because either it’s an idea that no longer feels implement-worthy, or it’s an unnecessary task/not a priority. It’s a good reminder that you only have so much time in day, week, and you can’t and don’t have to do EVERYTHING in a day (never mind a single hour!).
3) Ruthlessly Filter What Comes In
Remove distractions from everything and everywhere, including taking on the wrong projects or clients. Remove distractions where you’re filling your life with things that aren’t aligned with your vision or goals.
This is about ruthlessly unsubscribing, unfollowing, unfriending, etc. when things coming IN are not supporting the mental head space you want, or disrespecting your boundaries, or just aren’t something you want to keep up.
Look at your friends, obligations and commitments, book club, that committee you’re part of, groups, clients, project types, tasks, look at all of it and filter!
You don’t have to (and can’t) consume everything nor fit everything.
Everything you give your time to is a “yes”, a “vote” for where your attention is going.
Are you saying “yes” to junk or focusing on what really matters most to you?
Removing Distractions is a Lifestyle
Crystal Nerpel, a friend of mine, wrote and published a book recently called Loving Your Home. It’s about simplifying and creating spaces that make you feel good, focused, and more in love with your life. Removing distractions helps you LOVE every part of your life and lifestyle MORE.
Physical and mental decluttering is a lifestyle. Pay attention to what distracts you, annoys you, or takes you away from what you were doing throughout the day, get CLEAR on what you want it to look like instead, and restructure accordingly.
Remember, it’s easier to get distracted when you’re exhausted or depleted.
You may also need to check in with when you’re most inclined to be focused and have energy, so you’re not trying to run on fumes all the time. When you’re exhausted, it’s harder to be productive because you simply can’t FOCUS.
Want more on removing distractions?
Listen to the podcast episode HERE 
FAQ: Removing Distractions & Managing Attention
Why do I feel like I never have enough time?
According to a 2010 Harvard study by Matthew Killingsworth and Daniel Gilbert, the human brain is thinking about something other than the present task almost half of all waking hours. Add to that the constant stream of notifications, social media, pop-ups, emails, and competing responsibilities that modern life generates, and the real culprit becomes clear: it’s not that you’re running out of time. It’s that your attention is being pulled in too many directions at once. Time keeps moving at the same pace for everyone. Attention is what’s actually being depleted.
What is the difference between time management and attention management?
Time management is about scheduling and organizing your hours. Attention management is about protecting the quality of focus you bring to those hours. You can have a perfectly blocked calendar and still accomplish very little if your attention is fragmented by notifications, mental clutter, unfinished tasks hovering in the background, and a workspace full of competing stimuli. Productivity isn’t just about getting things done. It’s about using your time in a way that’s effective and impactful, and that requires both time and attention working together.
How do I set up my workspace to reduce distractions?
Start by treating your workspace as a signal to your brain that it’s time to focus. Close every tab except the ones needed for the current task. Clear physical clutter from your desk. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb. Close your door if you have one. Set a consistent focus ritual, whether that’s a specific playlist, a cup of tea, or a brief brain dump of everything on your mind before you start, so your brain learns to associate those cues with deep work. Your brain loves predictability. The more consistently you create these conditions, the more quickly your brain will shift into focus mode when you do.
What does it mean to ruthlessly filter what comes into your life?
It means being honest about everything competing for your attention and making deliberate choices about what stays and what goes. Unsubscribing from email lists that don’t serve you. Unfollowing accounts that pull you into comparison or distraction. Evaluating your commitments, groups, obligations, and even client types and asking honestly whether each one is aligned with where you’re headed. Everything you say yes to is a vote for where your attention goes. When you filter ruthlessly, you’re not becoming less generous. You’re protecting your capacity to show up fully for the things and people that actually matter.
Why is distraction-proofing a lifestyle rather than a one-time fix?
Because distractions don’t go away permanently. New ones arrive constantly, and your capacity for focus fluctuates with your energy, health, stress levels, and the season of life you’re in. Becoming distraction-proof is an ongoing practice of noticing what pulls you away from what matters, getting clear on what you want your focus to look like instead, and restructuring accordingly. It’s also worth noting that exhaustion makes distraction significantly worse. When you’re depleted, focus is nearly impossible. Taking care of your energy isn’t separate from productivity. It’s foundational to it.
