Do you ever have a day when you have so much to do and you keep getting interrupted? Here is an idea to consider, to help you be more productive.
Arrange your work day according to your “interruption potential” for that day. Look closely at what normal interruptions look like. And, determine why they happen. Ask yourself:
• Does my job require that others interrupt me regularly?
• Do I actually like the interruptions? Do they make me feel important?
This takes some real insight to answer honestly. If this is true for you, then you have a choice to make. Either admit you like the interruptions and want them to continue. Or, train yourself to realize that the lift you get is superficial and actually can be detrimental, especially if the interruptions impede your productivity.
• Do you allow others to interrupt without letting them know how disruptive the interruptions are? If this is true, consider discussing protecting time blocks for each other with those who interrupt you most often. Have set aside times each morning and afternoon where the interrupters cover for you, and later, you for them.
Perhaps they are people who do not want to be productive. They’d rather talk or interrupt. Then you have to deal with these types more directly. Or, change your schedule to be around when they are not around. If you have flexible hours where you work, consider getting in before others or leaving after others leave. I do not suggest that you work more hours to accommodate others so they can continue to interrupt you. I suggest you consider doing some work at home or out of the office if possible. This will allow you to control the IP (interruption potential) more directly.
Although it might sound harsh to some, most of us have a door we can close strategically. Open means I’m available. Closed means, “Please don’t disturb.” Or, we can develop a schedule of availability we can post.
Besides looking at your job from a wide angle perspective, we can also look at the IP of each day. When you have a day that you know is either busier or more important than normal try this: List everything you know you have to do that day. Rank each item on your list by its importance. The most important task gets No. 1. Then look at the IP for the day. When do you know or expect interruptions to occur? Arrange to work on your top priorities when you least expect interruptions.
Tim O’Brien writes continuing-education courses and presents seminars on stress management.
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