We all are probably aware that a busy email inbox can be extremely distracting to getting the stuff you need to get done, done. Even more distracting than email, by orders of magnitude, is instant messaging (which is why I avoid these programs like the plague).

For the best productivity, you should only have your communication programs open when you are able to respond quickly. Doing this will decrease the distractions these programs cause as popups and new message notifications will not be orchestrating your computer speakers. Additionally, if you are a screener (someone who reads the message and then waits a while before responding), you will not waste the time of having to read the message twice before responding.

Granted, this is not for everyone, but I have found it to be tremendously useful when I really need to bare down to get things done.