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1-2-3 Get It Done: The Notification Filter That Instantly Eliminates 80% of Distractions
sent by Joaquín Kosegarten | February 03, 2026
Every second counts, so let’s get right to it. 1 idea, 2 ways it saves you time, and 3 steps to Get It Done:
1 Idea
Create a notification filter that blocks everything except the few contacts and apps that genuinely matter.
2 Ways it saves you time
1. Most notifications are noise, not urgency. Each one steals a slice of your attention, and research shows it takes more than twenty minutes to fully refocus after an interruption.
2. When only high priority alerts get through, you stop reacting all day. You make fewer context switches, which means faster tasks, clearer thinking, and less stress.
3 Steps to Get It Done:
1. Open your phone settings and turn off notifications for every app that is not essential for your work or personal safety.
2. Create an “allowed” list with only a few essentials, such as calls, messages from key people, and one or two work tools.
3. Keep your phone in focus mode during work blocks so the filter stays active and only the important alerts reach you.
Conclusion
Distractions are rarely accidental. They come from systems you have not filtered yet. Build a strong notification filter once and your focus improves every day after.
“But what if I miss something important?”
You won’t. Your allowed list handles the true priorities, and everything else can wait until you choose to check it.
As promised — 1 minute that can save you hours
Yours in Getting It Done,
Joaquin Kosegarten
Author of Get It Done
Creator of the 1-2-3 Get It Done Newsletter
P.S. Fun fact, the average person gets between 80 and 100 notifications a day, and heavy users get more than 200. Most of them are completely irrelevant, which is why a strong filter makes such a massive difference.
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The Notification Filter That Instantly Eliminates 80% of Distractions
About the Newsletter
1-2-3 Get It Done is a weekly 1-minute read trusted by busy professionals who want to achieve more in less time without burning out.
Each issue gives you 1 idea, 2 ways it saves you time, and 3 steps to put it into action immediately.