Focus Tips
Paying the Context-Switch Tax
Minimize the hidden cost of jumping between unrelated work.
The Problem
Every time you jump from writing to a Slack thread to a spreadsheet, your brain pays a "switch cost" — up to 20 minutes to fully re-engage. With 30 switches a day, you lose most of your productive capacity to transition overhead.
Strategies to Overcome It
- 1Group similar work into blocks: all communication in one, all making in another.
- 2Use a "single tab" policy during deep blocks.
- 3Keep a parking-lot list for off-topic thoughts that arise mid-task.
- 4Set 90-minute maker blocks with notifications fully off.
- 5Review your day and count switches — awareness reduces them.
Your 2-Minute Action
Look at your open windows. Close every one not tied to your current task. Commit to one block of uninterrupted work before any switch.