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I have all notifications turned off.
If I need to concentrate, I put on noise cancelling headphones and play electronic music.
To get "started", I pick the smallest, quickest, easiest task and complete it.
At the end of the day I purposely stop mid task.
That incomplete task is the one I start the next day.
I've been realising more and more that I need music, or certain types of music to push through something I need to do. Working in silence (with undiagnosed ADHD/whatever's happening up there) leaves too much room for boredom, so I suppose the music acts as a stimulus to keep going.
When I have to do something as menial as chores or housework, I put on headphones and crank a mix of tracks from the Tekken games. Nothing like blasting Tag 1's rousing, electro-rock-D&B intro to start washing the fat stack of dishes from last week. 😁
When it’s thinking work, I listen to ‘background’ audio e.g., game soundtrack, nature/cafe sounds. If it’s manual work then I like a podcast or news radio.
At my previous job, I was able to justify two pairs of wireless earbuds because I could switch without stopping the music when the batteries ran out. If I wasn’t on the phone or in a meeting, I had music going.
I use a pomodoro timer! I actually like it so much I wrote my own, but haven’t released it yet
Early morning pomodoro is what got me through my masters degree, having been a mediocre student before that.
Sleeping well, moving around when it's warm, showering, not being intoxicated, and cycling through forms of audiotherapy.
Pad/paper & pen
Top left list: shit i need to do now
Top right list: lower priority, but need to be done this week
Bottom left: things i am absolutely able to procrastinate on, personal things, hopes, dreams, wishes
Bottom right: long term goals/projects
everywhere else: doodles....lots of doodles.
Also, your brain is stupid. For example, if you have started the list after completing a couple tasks that day write them down and cross them off anyway, you will still get that sense of accomplishment & won't feel stuck trying to get started.
Increase your adrenaline and noradrenaline either naturally (aerobic exercises and cold shower/shock) or with chemichals (stimulant and sympathomimetic drugs). That will increase your focus and goal-oriented behavior. It's really crazy when you're able to achieve a 100%+ flow state. If you have heart problems you shouldn't do it tho. I had tachycardia for 1 month straight.
I would say: write down your task before you are pulled aside. Do this each time you are pulled aside, then work through tasks in reverse order.
Beyond what people have written here - communicate.
Often you can simply reduce or even cancel work by just asking for it, or get more time. This creates space.