Joel Spolsky recently said something along the lines of a managers job is to handle interruptions and distractions.

Before I heard that it really hadn't occurred to me, but at least in my job it's true. I too only get those 10 to 15 minute periods a day to try and focus and longingly wish for more but without some time distortion system it isn't going to happen.

One thing that I do regularly is run or bike and I find that alone time quite satisfying in allowing me to think about various problems. However it isn't quite the same as being able to actually work directly on a problem for that hour.

Excellent article!

Thanks.