My main response to distraction is to remove myself somehow, while still being "available". If I can't leave the office, don't stop typing to talk to someone. T

My main response to distraction is to remove myself somehow, while still being "available". If I can't leave the office, don't stop typing to talk to someone. They will get the picture quickly generally. It works better than closing the door (people come in anyway, often in the middle of phone calls) and distractions make their way through putting on a headset and a lecture or some music. (on a side note, I have noticed that I spent quite a bit of time listening to lectures about wide ranging subjects, and had significantly reduced my music listening. I have noticed more productivity with music than with lectures recently, and am moving back in that direction.) Honestly though, for me as a sysadmin, I do no better work than in the dead of night with no one else in the office and I just simply don't even have to worry about external distractions. No one is calling and interrupting my flow, or requesting my presence, (the majority of my interruptions), and I can put on whatever entertainment I like and work away.