Limiting distractions at work

Don’t answer your phone.

Turn off your computer or at least don’t access the internet.

Ask you coworkers to tone down their conversations and not to interrupt you.

Yes, my friends, these are the top suggestions for limiting work-related distractions. Does this sound off to anyone else?  It seems to me that answering the phone, using the computer, and having healthy relationships with coworkers are fairly essential parts of working. Now, I’ll agree that I can limit what I contribute to my own distraction level by turning off my cell phone and not compulsively checking my email, but I can’t help what others contribute.  I’ve tried a lot of things, but coworker confrontations are not high on my list of helpful or even productive work tactics.  What has been helpful for me is the use of white noise.  Unlike music or ear plugs, white noise is adjustable without being distracting in and of itself.  Give it a shot and see what you think.