After reading _Deep Work_ by Cal Newport, I realize that this "hi" message is just yet another way we are distracted in the modern workplace. (I heartily recomm

After reading _Deep Work_ by Cal Newport, I realize that this "hi" message is just yet another way we are distracted in the modern workplace. (I heartily recommend that book.) What I've adopted is a structured "offline" timeframe, where I answer _no_ communication over the period of about 1-2 hours. When I come "online", I take the time to really answer questions very completely. I've noticed a few things: 1. This has reduced stress a _lot_ 2. Nobody cares I don't answer immediately 3. People do appreciate that when I do answer them, I've taken the time to really research the response (Now, "offline" isn't really offline, it's more "no distractions or notifications".) The funny thing I've noticed, is that the people that just want you to be online when they say "Hi" are often very distracted people themselves.