To do deep work, you need to focus on a single task, and to focus, you need to eliminate distractions. That’s a pretty intuitive idea, and it’s the basis for Carlson’s Law, named after Swedish economist Sune Carlson, who found that interrupted work is always less effective and more time-consuming than continuous work. But that doesn’t mean a distraction-free zone is easy to achieve.

Before you start anything, make sure your space is free of distractions, not just physically, but mentally. Here are a few ways to do that:

Work in a place with a door and keep it closed. This way others know you are busy and they cannot disturb you.

Try earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to minimize noise.