In the seventies I was product manager for the custom product side of a modem manufacturer. As such I gave plant tours to visiting customers and prospects. When we toured the production area where printed circuit cards were being populated prior to flow soldering, someone usually asked, "How many people work here?" to which I replied, "About half." which always got a laugh because it was a surprise and, I believe, that's about all most of the best producers can accomplish, especially the more creative among us.

While I have conducted no study, can offer no research, I am convinced the most successful among us are at their productive best four to six hours daily, accumulated, not sequential. I know I am. At my peak my best work was accomplished in three two hour sessions daily. Today, forty years hence, I'm good for an hour to an hour and a half after which I move into what my best friend, Jim, called negative work, meaning the additional effort had a regressive result.

In my view there is a resonant success process for each of us. Mine is:

pay attention > focus > assess the situation > consider options >

 choose the better > observe the results (continue paying attention)

It is detailed more fully here and offered only as an idea to consider. My point is that full immersion means being laser focused on the effort at hand. My approach which requires silence and isolation suits me. My best friend likes background music. It's a matter of finding our productive zone.