[Grammar] abstract yourself

[Boris Tatarenko]

Being a teleworker requires self-discipline, self-reliance, an ability to abstract yourself from the world and hard work.

Is it OK to use "yourself" in the sentence above? Does "abstract yourself from the world" fit the sentence?

 

[SoothingDave]

Not sure what you mean by "abstract." Do you mean "extract?"

Where does "hard work" fit in? I think you need an Oxford comma there, unless you are supposed to "abstract" yourself from hard work.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

Yes, I need a comma there.
I don't know whether it makes sense in English, but in Russia (if we literally translate it) it means: stop paying any attention to unimportant things when you're busy.

 

[SoothingDave]

I would say something like "an ability to focus on your work without being distracted."