Protecting your focus in a world of interruptions

One of the themes that has been coming up again and again in recent coaching conversations is the challenge of staying focused. You sit down to work, and within minutes there’s a knock at the door, a phone call from a friend, a text message, or a family member who needs “just a minute.” These interruptions aren’t always bad — in fact, many of them come from people we love — but when they pile up, they can derail even our best intentions.

In our culture, interruptions have become the norm. Between constant notifications, unexpected drop-ins, and the noise of daily life, it’s harder than ever to create space for deep, focused work. Yet that space is essential — not only for getting things done, but for keeping our minds clear and our hearts at peace.

And here’s something I’ve noticed — some of us (myself included) have a proclivity for creating our own interruptions. We check email “just for a second,” start a different project before the first one’s finished, or suddenly decide now is the perfect time to reorganize the garage. These self-made distractions can be just as disruptive as anything from the outside, and they can be even trickier to notice because we’re the ones doing them.

In coaching and spiritual direction, I often help clients create rhythms and boundaries that protect their focus without damaging relationships. Sometimes that means setting clear work hours. Sometimes it’s learning to say “I’d love to talk — can we connect later?” And sometimes it’s simply about retraining our own minds to come back to the task at hand instead of letting distractions — external or self-created — take the wheel.

If this sounds like something you struggle with, you’re not alone. I’d love to meet for coffee and talk about how life coaching or spiritual direction can help you reclaim your focus — not just to get more done, but to live with greater intention and presence.

📺 If you’d like to explore more about what I do, you can also visit my YouTube channel here: Alec Gonzales on YouTube