What are some strategies that have worked for you?
I find new input in slack more stimulating than my difficult tasks at hand. Going offline on slack is probably not an option.
Ask HN: How to deal with constant interruptions at work (with ADHD)
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Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constant interruptions at work (with ADHD)
#2Mark on your calendar "heads down" time for 2-hours sprints. People might respect it but you may also have to disconnect.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constant interruptions at work (with ADHD)
#3Headphones. People think you’re busy and avoid interrupting you physically.
Block your calendar to stop virtual interruptions.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constant interruptions at work (with ADHD)
#4Headphones blasting no music, with earplugs in.
I tried (and was successful) for years with gun mufflers with earplugs, but I got into a company where some salespeople couldn't get the message, so the switch to headphones over earplugs.
It's the next best thing to a strong ADD med :)
Also, considering your seemingly constant barrage, the pomodoro method (easily googled)
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constant interruptions at work (with ADHD)
#5My usual recommendation is to be deliberate about time you’re setting aside for focusing. Like others said, a combination of blocked time on your calendar, closing Slack and email, a Pomodoro timer, and music (or white noise) through noise canceling headphones.
> Going offline on slack is probably not an option.
Out of curiosity, what makes you say this? What would happen if you were to close slack for an hour?
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constant interruptions at work (with ADHD)
#6Talk to your manager: "find me a way not to be interrupted all the time, or multiply my delivery time by 2, as you wish".
Turning slack off is totally an option.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constant interruptions at work (with ADHD)
#7Leave channels that you’re not required to be in. For some channels it can be enough to disable notifications. (They will still be bold in the channel list when there are new messages.)
Going offline from Slack for 1-2 hours a day might not be impossible? That’s a start. Try it and then evaluate after a week or two.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constant interruptions at work (with ADHD)
#8If you have a Mac, the full screen mode with virtual desktops is fantastic.
i3wm achieves something similar on Linux.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constant interruptions at work (with ADHD)
#9To go offline in slack should be an option. Talk to your manager or someone at the company. You have a disability, there must be accommodations.
What I do is keep any chat and such closed and only accept e-mail. I then have two set times a day where I check it by going through the mailbox. There should be no argument that you can't do this unless you're employed to be always on-call and need to be responsive in 5 minutes.
Make sure to generate a paper trail when asking.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constant interruptions at work (with ADHD)
#10To go offline in slack should be an option. Talk to your manager or someone at the company. You have a disability, there must be accommodations. What I do is keep any chat and such closed and only accept e-mail. I then have two set times a day where I check it by going through the mailbox. There should be no argument that you can't do this unless you're employed to be always on-call and need to be responsive in 5 min…
IMO being offline from Slack from time to time should be an option for all employees.