[studentrob]

> While in reality, you simply need to block the distractions for a few hours to get work done.

Oh, I see. I suppose that depends upon your relationship with coworkers/clients. My expectation is that people around me understand that anything less than a phone call or in-person request does not demand immediate attention. If they don't, that's their problem. I've never had someone fire me for letting an email go a few hours. They might ask about it, and then I would just reply I was focused on something else. Pretty understandable in my opinion, and if not, again that isn't my problem.

That said, I think being able to do context switches without losing work is an acquired skill. There are people who can do it in conversation; when interrupted, they can come back to the original where it left off. I don't know of many people who switch between code and people but I believe it's possible to get good at it.