How many times have you found your personal productivity groove, but then been interrupted by someone else and lost it? It’s something that sounds so abstract that it almost sounds made up, but it’s true: once you’ve found your groove, it’s hard to get it back.
That’s why the primary key of maximizing your productivity rests in respecting your own time. If you set aside a time to be productive, but someone else interrupts you (unknowingly, even — usually no one has the intention of interrupting you), then you must get used to the idea of letting them know that you are not currently available but will get back to them shortly.
At first this feels rude, but it’s really just an extension of your own self-respect. In order for your to request anyone else to respect your time set aside for productivity, you must first respect it yourself. This is the most important step toward becoming more productive in general.