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BUSINESS SKILLS TIPS 25 – DEALING WITH TIME WASTERS & INTERRUPTIONS
Have you ever been totally motivated and dedicated to getting a good day’s work done and then you have a day when every person in the world seems intent on interrupting you and filling your day with time wasters?
Well I have. And do you know what? I have now got it down to a fine art.
I spend my time last thing in the evening organising my work for the next day. People aware of my general timetable and so they are not surprised if I am not at the end of the phone. People who know me also know that I have certain days when I am not interruptible. That means that family and friends cannot reach me because my answer machine is on at every contact point. Business colleagues know that I will get right back to them asap when they phone my work line and leave a message, or e-mail me. I let it be known that two days per week I am not available as this is my planning and course construction days, and that if they visit my office and my door is closed, I am closed off to any kind of interruption. They can send me a text or an e-mail or leave a phone message and I will contact them when I have finished my planning time or my VI work.
Sounds harsh? Sounds abrupt and unfriendly? I had to be a bit assertive at first, but the explanation and the way I explained it made it all friendly and reasonable. After all, I told them, I would much rather speak to them and spend time with them when we can both relax and enjoy each other’s company, have a drink, or a coffee and a chat.
Work wise, I sometimes get together with work colleagues, people I rely on to get work done for me, supporters and mentors, and give staff and outsourcers rewards for a job well done and for fitting into their boss’s (my) plans.
Of course there are always the odd breakthroughs where someone gets through the net, but because it happens very rarely I don’t get stressed or resentful.
Time wasters and interruptions are now much reduced, I am very much happier and more productive, so are my colleagues. If you adopt these recommendations your own output could be up, production could be much improved, time given over purely for problem solving and answering queries, giving advice and so on, so it is worth following the principals of management training and good business practice and keep time wasters and interruptions to a minimum.