Between endless notifications, back-to-back meetings and the temptation to multitask, concentrating at work can sometimes feel close to impossible. Simply trying to pay better attention isn’t enough to stay truly focused—that is a skill is grown through the habits, boundaries and systems professionals build into their work lives.

Whether it’s getting grounded with breathing exercises or revisiting and resetting priorities, small actions can have powerful impacts on one’s productivity and peace of mind. Below, members of Forbes Coaches Council share practical, real-world strategies to help quiet the noise and focus on what matters most when at work.

Plan And Schedule Your Day

The more conscious you are of your time, the easier it is to manage. The ego loves fire drills and will make you fall victim to them all day if you let it. Block time for high-priority projects that keep getting pushed off. Schedule email and phone time and turn off notifications when they are not in the time block. Check in hourly to make sure you are owning your time. – Christie Garcia, Mindful Choice, LLC.

Write Down Next Steps Nightly

Every night, I write down the three highest-leverage moves for the business. I start with them first thing in the morning—no inbox, no distractions. Clarity kills noise. It’s not that we lack information. We just forget how to aim. Direction creates momentum. – Dr. Aman Alzubier, dramanalzubier.com

Tackle One Priority At A Time

When there are so many priority tasks on the list, nothing gets done well. To prioritize one task at a time, I’d measure by looking at what’s most important in terms of business impact and outcome. I’d do what has the highest-value outcome, which can be revenue, leads, retention or fixing a critical process. Then, the next priority, next, and so forth. Nothing gets done when there are competing priorities. – Nav Thethi, The Nav Thethi

Recenter With A Visual Anchor

To regain focus in the moment, bring your awareness to one spot in front of you. It can be the corner of your phone, your laptop or the photo on the wall—just focus on it, fixing your sight and not moving your head for a couple of seconds. This simple practice can help you regain focus and soothe the anxiety that distractions bring. – Aleksandra Plazinic, Business and Life Skills

Stick To The Basics

Going back to basics can be useful when faced with many distractions. Developing a routine and disciplining yourself to stick with it can increase your sense of control. Feeling that you are in control of your work rather than it being in charge of you can make all the difference. It can also be helpful in reducing the ambiguity that can lead to increased anxiety. – Kathy Bernhard, KFB Leadership Solutions

Work Around Peak Energy Times

Be honest with yourself about how you work best and arrange your days and weeks around that as much as you can. You can start with two questions: “At what time of day are my energy and focus at their best? And what is the best use of this time—is it creative work, deep work or the hardest task of the day?” Building this awareness helps us shift from distracted, externally driven days to an intentional, self-led life. – Susan Parsons, Parsons Consulting

Impose A Penalty On Yourself

Set a 25-minute timer and choose one outcome. Every time you alt-tab, check Slack or touch your phone, log it, pay $1 (or more) to a team fund and end with one written next step. The penalty snaps your attention back. The log builds the single-thread habit and strengthens recall. – Patricia Burlaud, P. Burlaud Consulting, LLC

Clear The Clutter Daily

Once a day, close every open tab, literally and mentally. For 60 seconds, face a blank screen or a clean desk and do nothing but breathe. In that stillness, ask yourself one question: “What actually deserves my next click?” It’s a simple ritual that retrains your brain to choose focus over frenzy and reminds you that clarity begins where clutter ends. – Viv Babber, MD, Lean Six Intelligence Group

Prioritize Before You Plug In

Remember, you are in control of your time. Here’s a pro tip for keeping it that way: Before you open your calendar, glance at your texts or look at your email and make your short list of the things that are your top priority today. Organize your day around those priorities first, then open yourself up to input from others. You will feel clearer and able to focus on what matters to you. – Joelle Jay, Leadership Research Institute

Create A ‘Success List’

Understanding human nature is key to understanding business and productivity. It’s about learning how to prioritize your workload through the lens of how humans can optimize productivity. Multitasking and overcommitting to a vigorous “to-do” list is a formula for failure. Instead, create a “success list” based on the one thing that you can do within a week to have the most significant impact. – Edward Doherty, One Degree Coaching, LLC

Reconnect With Purpose

Apply the pain-pleasure principle: We act either to avoid discomfort or to pursue reward. Remind yourself why your work matters. Staying focused protects your professional reputation and builds the integrity to trust yourself. When you honor small commitments, you cultivate self-trust—the inner drive that keeps you focused long after distractions fade. – Sandra Balogun, The CPA Leader

Anchor Yourself In One Task

To regain focus, try a “single-task anchor”—pause, breathe and choose one clear priority to tackle without interruption. Committing fully trains your mind to resist distractions, improves retention and builds a habit of deep work—turning fleeting focus into sustained productivity and clarity. – Shikha Bajaj, Own Your Color

Regain Focus With A Grounding Technique

Leaders can manage distractions by using a grounding technique to regain their focus. The exercise involves three steps: Inhale deeply through the nose for five seconds, hold your breath for five seconds, then exhale through the mouth at a slower pace for about eight seconds. The four to five repeated cycles of this breathing exercise help people regain calmness and provide a fast mental break. – Elif Suner, MBA, M.Ed, MCC, Enrichia

Use Timed Focus Blocks

Set a 25-minute timer, silence all notifications and focus on one task alone—nothing else. This sharpens your mind, creates small wins and trains your brain to stay present. Over time, it’ll build mental stamina, reduce stress and help you accomplish more without feeling overwhelmed. To get more advanced, create a weekly schedule and daily schedules within it. – Sariki Abungwo, Blesatech Consultancy Services

Call Out Distractions Aloud

Name the distraction out loud—literally. Saying, “This is me checking Slack to avoid hard work,” pulls it from impulse into awareness. Then replace it with a single anchor action, like opening your notes or setting a timer for 10 minutes. Focus isn’t built by force; it’s trained by catching yourself in the act and choosing again. – Alla Adam, Adam Impact Institute

Leverage The 5-4-3-2-1 Exercise

One powerful, concrete way to regain focus in the moment is the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory grounding exercise, drawn from mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). When distractions spike, pause and notice: five things you can see, four you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. This interrupts mental noise and anchors attention in the present. – Stephan Lendi, Newbury Media & Communications GmbH

Protect A Daily ‘Power Hour’

I practice a “Power Hour”—a focused block with no phone, emails or meetings. Self-awareness is key: Know when you’re at your best and protect that time. Share your Power Hours with colleagues, leaders and family so they respect the boundary. This simple habit builds focus and a reputation for intentional, disciplined work. – Rahul Karan Sharma, RahulKaranSharma.com

This article was originally posted on Forbes.com.