Disruption is a productivity killer. Endless interruptions by construction, social media and email notifications, jarring and crowded subways or bus commutes, the kids, the neighbour's leaf blower, and the stupid questions your co-workers ask you are sapping your ability to get anything done.

You might always look to find some peace and quiet, but whether you work in an office or from home, it's a tough search. In fact, over 50% of workers complain that they lose at least an hour or more per day due to constant disruptions.

So here's what you can do about it.

The process starts by first identifying those things that most often disrupt you from doing your best work. Funnily-enough, the best way to do this is to disrupt yourself for (at least) a portion of a day.

Grab a notebook and think through your average day, hour by hour. Now, I say a notebook and not your cell phone because I can guarantee that much of your daily interruptions will be delivered via phone. So don't let yourself get distracted while trying to figure out your distractions – grab a notebook!

Make a note each time you realise that you are being disturbed by others, social media, and anything else that you can think of.

Once finished, consider your list and eliminate anything that may be a one-off occurrence. There's no need to fix problems that aren't really problems.

Now that we have the list of our usual distracting subjects, beside each distraction, come up with and write down a solution. For example, if you are always pulling out your mobile because you're addicted to social media, Your phone is not the culprit, you are, and it is up to you to cure yourself. Ask yourself if you need that phone right next to you as you work? Be honest and be brutal – it's the only way.

Headphones aren't just for music anymore. Many companies and independent workers are using headphones to signal to others that you are focusing on a task and should not be disturbed for anything less than a major disaster. They can also actively block out disruptive people and noise – especially the ones made to do just that. Pair them with music or sounds that help you focus on your tasks, and you're making some progress.

Most disruptions nowadays come from emails, browsers, and the like; duh.

A very simple way to avoid this disruption is to – get this – disconnect from the internet and work offline. Yes, seriously.

If you are working on something that doesn't require the net, shut it down or disconnect your wifi. Many people who write for 3 or more hours per day, simply use a separate, unconnected computer as a word processor. You can sit in a quiet spot at the beach if you wish and type away distraction-free.

If you work in a busy office, is it possible to come in earlier or stay later than most of the others? It's a lot less distracting when you have the entire office to yourself!

Working from home has even more possibilities. Some people work best at night or, if you're like me, keep farmer's hours. I get up at 4am and can get in 4 full hours before my son even gets up in the morning. Not everyone can do this; it's a case of what your body prefers and can handle.

Now, while working from home sounds like a dream to those in an office, many people cannot make it work for them. They feel isolated if they are alone or distracted by family, roommates, and all of your stuff around you.

If you cannot work from home, try looking for an office-share or a small office space in a larger company office. Many companies offer small offices, generally with a receptionist at the front (fancy!), to hold any possible visitors. If you are a cold calling salesperson, you may be in an office next to a novelist. You never know who is seeking a quiet space to produce quality work.