Over 70% of people who work in an office experience interruptions at work. Some of these interruptions are unavoidable. However, if we dig a little deeper, we may be able to improve your situation at work.

There are two types of interruptions

1. Internal

Self-Inflicted. We answer our phone for every incoming text message or call. Or we respond to emails every time we get one. And this type of behavior usually leaves us feeling unproductive at the end of the day because we look back and are unsure as to what we really accomplished.

2. External

Your boss or co-workers. A person is committing the interruption – usually the boss.
“Do you have a second.” or “This will only take a minute.” Over 80% of us lack the courage it takes to “protect our time.”

As humans, we want to be liked and will often place the non-important needs of others over our priorities.

Solution: 4 Ways To Protect Your Time

1. Put your cell phone on airplane mode
I do this daily usually for 25min. or 50min. blocks of time. (That’s how I wrote this article.)

2. Practicing saying, “Not right now.”
Could we meet at this time _____?” If you say “yes” to everything and everyone, how do you determine what is essential and what can wait?

3. Create a visual that people will respect
You can tell people multiple times not to interrupt you from 8am-10am because that is your #1 priority time, but people will forget. See the image bottom right for an example of a visual that works.

4. Plan your day and block out time
This helps you to accomplish your #1 priority. Your whole day should not be blocked. Anywhere from 50min. to 3hrs is achievable. And stand your ground when someone tries to alter this. If they are an effective leader, they will respect this new practice of yours.

by Eric Papp
Effectiveness Expert

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