Multi-tasking frustrates me to no end. On my last project I found that I would be reviewing a document, then bounce to my email inbox (upon notification of a new message), and then all of a sudden I would get IM’d with a question. Invariably, my concentration was lost and I completely forgot what I was originally working on! At the end of the day this undermined my productivity. The problem was that the tools were controlling me, instead of the other way around. Now I only periodically check my email and likewise if I get an instant message, I don’t respond to it until I am ready. It’s good to be in control!