[gboone]

I also experience it as an interruption, versus a distraction. I'm an ideas guy, and ideation is my biggest strength. This causes a flow of internal conversation with my best self and it matters a ton that I handle this properly.

My approach is to choose to not let these conversations slip. I do this by writing down whatever I need to on a piece of paper next to me. I find that because I'm working alone I don't get the feedback I need. By writing it down I can switch back, and this serves a purpose other than to simply not forget it. It allows the thought to continue and I don't get stuck. Maybe I write a list, maybe I write a task, maybe a diagram. Many times it's a question.

Because the internal dialogue flows better my other present at-hand work can resume sooner after the interruption. In the meantime, I'm having a debate on the side about whether it really is a better idea than what I'm doing, and it gives me room to consider things in a more reasonable way, without the pressure of mental logjamming.

I switch back and forth. Each time I am giving the proper focus needed.

Also, these are generally for me not troubling or repeatedly negative thoughts because in moments when those kind of thoughts are present I stop everything and it gets full attention to get resolved. The situation then is it's not so much a logjam but the river itself has run dry. Gotta get that figured out asap because it not only affects present ability to work but future as well.