The 10-Minute Rule To Stay Focused: How To Manage Distractions

One of the biggest challenges to maintaining focus is the constant urge to check your phone, browse social media, or engage in other distractions. These interruptions can break your concentration and derail your productivity. The 10-Minute Rule is a simple yet effective technique to help you manage those distractions and stay on task.

The 10-Minute Rule is a powerful strategy to help you resist distractions and maintain focus, whether working on a big project, studying, or even trying to keep your child engaged for a more extended period. It was originally popularized by the Sunsama team (remote since 2019). This technique works like this: When you feel the urge to do something distracting, tell yourself to wait 10 minutes. This rule creates a small, manageable delay that helps you resist the temptation to give in to distractions immediately. Often, by the time those 10 minutes have passed, the urge to check your phone or divert your attention has subsided, and you can return to your task with renewed focus.