To limit meetings, and unnecessary, distracting conversations, one way that I've found that individual contributors (engineers, artists, writers etc.) can segme

To limit meetings, and unnecessary, distracting conversations, one way that I've found that individual contributors (engineers, artists, writers etc.) can segment their day is by splitting it between hours where they'll work on their individual tasks, and hours where they'll assist others. For example, in practice this would look like: If your team has a project manager, then explain the situation to them... tell them that you won't take meetings after 12pm unless it is for some kind of an major emergency. Similarly, tell your teammates that you won't go to meetings after 12pm unless they are stuck on a problem. Ask everyone to schedule time on your calendar if they want to talk to you - and it'll have to be before 12pm. If you don't control your own time, then other people will.