Protect continuity before increasing the length of a focus session.

Prepare a bounded outcome

Define what should be different when the session ends: a drafted section, reviewed chapter, tested function, or completed practice set. Avoid vague goals such as “work on project.”

Reduce interruption paths

Close unrelated tabs, silence notifications, prepare required material, and decide where unexpected thoughts will be recorded. Browser-level safeguards can help, but they do not replace environment design.

• Choose a realistic block length.
• Keep water and required references ready.
• Use a capture note for unrelated tasks.
• Take a deliberate break after the block.

Review the block

Record whether the goal was clear, when attention dropped, and whether the duration fit. Use repeated observations rather than one unusually good or difficult session.