No golden bullet for this problem I think but definitely one that is widely shared.
- Get rid of your smartphone and go to a dumb flip phone (avoid distractions).
- Dump your ideas into a system you can review later like [RoamResarch](https://roamresearch.com/),[Trello](trello.com), or a folder with Markdown Files
Check out GTD method because these thoughts qualify as something you should dump in your sort bin/inbox bin to go through later. Other things like "I should check the mail", "I should build a fort" all count as distracting tasks to keep track of.
- Meditate and learn to recognize transitive thoughts. I really recommend the [Calm App](https://www.calm.com/) although you really don't need to use an app I found it's [21 Days of Calm by Tamara Levitt] program helped get me started and gave me a handful of techniques to get into a zen state.
- Build and Keep Track of your Habits. Your habits are extremely important to do deep and meaningful long term work. You need to cultivate them. Check out [The Power of Habit](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055PGUYU)
Personally all of the things I listed have some type of associated tool but all can be accomplished with a timer, pen, paper ,etc. Don't let yourself get caught up trying to find the "perfect" tool. Just start doing the things so you build the habits. They are far more important.
- Get rid of your smartphone and go to a dumb flip phone (avoid distractions).
- Dump your ideas into a system you can review later like [RoamResarch](https://roamresearch.com/),[Trello](trello.com), or a folder with Markdown Files Check out GTD method because these thoughts qualify as something you should dump in your sort bin/inbox bin to go through later. Other things like "I should check the mail", "I should build a fort" all count as distracting tasks to keep track of.
- Meditate and learn to recognize transitive thoughts. I really recommend the [Calm App](https://www.calm.com/) although you really don't need to use an app I found it's [21 Days of Calm by Tamara Levitt] program helped get me started and gave me a handful of techniques to get into a zen state.
- Use [The Pomodoro Technique](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique) to focus on one task at a time and avoid over taxing your focus muscle.
- Build and Keep Track of your Habits. Your habits are extremely important to do deep and meaningful long term work. You need to cultivate them. Check out [The Power of Habit](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055PGUYU)
- All industries that have REALLY important critical life saving tasks use checklists. [HBR: Using a checklist to prevent Failure](https://hbr.org/2010/01/using-checklists-to-prevent-fa.html). I use app.everyday.app to do a Daily Habit Checklist but I did this using a tiny Mole skin for a month and it worked great as well. Side note you made me dig into looking up this thing called [Seinfeld Chaining](https://lifehacker.com/jerry-seinfelds-productivity-secret-2...) and I found out [Seinfeld has nothing to do with it](https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ujvrg/jerry_seinfeld...)
Personally all of the things I listed have some type of associated tool but all can be accomplished with a timer, pen, paper ,etc. Don't let yourself get caught up trying to find the "perfect" tool. Just start doing the things so you build the habits. They are far more important.