Have you ever intended to be fully absorbed in your work but found yourself distracted by e-mail, the Internet or other things throughout the day? “People often lose their concentration when they are bored, of course, but also when they are engaged in challenging tasks, ”says Peter Bregman. “They sometimes have a feeling to escape from what’s difficult or boring, so they jump out, ”he says. The part of the brain devoted to attention is connected to the brain’s emotional center. Any strong emotion—quarrels with colleagues, problems at home—can interrupt our attention.