Productivity & time laws · law 085
Carlson's Law
By Shivam Bhandari · Reviewed 31 October 2026 · How we write
what it means
Work done in one continuous block takes less time and energy than the same work done in interrupted pieces.
How Carlson's Law works
Every interruption costs more than its own length: you lose focus, have to recall where you were, and restart. A task interrupted five times can take far longer than one done in a single sitting.
For business owners and teams, protecting blocks of uninterrupted time is one of the cheapest productivity upgrades available.
where it comes from
Based on Swedish economist Sune Carlson's 1951 study Executive Behaviour, which found managers were rarely able to work uninterrupted for more than about 20 minutes.
Carlson's Law examples in business
Owners
A founder who answers every WhatsApp ping never finishes strategic work; blocking two quiet hours each morning changes that.
Teams
A design team introduces ‘no-meeting afternoons’ and delivery speeds up.
Shop floor
Batching similar tasks reduces setup time and errors.
How to apply it
- 1Block 60–120 minute focus periods in your calendar.
- 2Turn off notifications during those blocks.
- 3Batch similar tasks (emails, calls, approvals) together.
- 4Agree team norms for when interruptions are acceptable.
common misreading
Not all interruptions are bad — urgent customer issues still need attention. The goal is to reduce avoidable ones.
ask yourself
When did you last work for an hour without a single interruption?
put it into practice
Frequently asked questions
What is Carlson's Law?
Work done in one continuous block takes less time and energy than the same work done in interrupted pieces. Every interruption costs more than its own length: you lose focus, have to recall where you were, and restart. A task interrupted five times can take far longer than one done in a single sitting.
Who came up with Carlson's Law?
Based on Swedish economist Sune Carlson's 1951 study Executive Behaviour, which found managers were rarely able to work uninterrupted for more than about 20 minutes.
How do you apply Carlson's Law in business?
1. Block 60–120 minute focus periods in your calendar. 2. Turn off notifications during those blocks. 3. Batch similar tasks (emails, calls, approvals) together. 4. Agree team norms for when interruptions are acceptable.
What is a common misunderstanding of Carlson's Law?
Not all interruptions are bad — urgent customer issues still need attention. The goal is to reduce avoidable ones.