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Who's That Knocking At Your Door?
© 2001 Patricia Katz, Optimus Consulting
Ask five colleagues what keeps them from getting things done. It's a sure guess that interruptions will appear in the top three of any lists they offer.
An interruption stops you from continuing smoothly in your current direction. Interruptions take many forms: ringing telephones, faces at your door, reminder notes discovered in the paperwork your desk, Email alerts flashing on your computer screen.
Common wisdom says.... interruptions are bad. Interruptions are a problem. Interruptions should be eliminated. To be productive and effective you must concentrate and focus on the task at hand, and let all distractions fall to the side.
Not necessarily so. Few things in life are so black and white - all good or all bad. Sometimes attending to an interruption is the best possible use of your time and energy.
News that the Titanic had rendezvoused with an iceberg may have disrupted the captain's dinner. Yet, it was an interruption that merited immediate attention.
It's unlikely that you command an ocean liner, yet you are responsible for the progress and direction of your own ship. Knowing where to focus your attention and when to refocus is an important judgment call.
Suppose your meeting is sidetracked to a related topic that's not officially on the agenda. In the process, you learn about an error that's being sloughed off as a 'one of a kind' glitch in the works. Because of your experience and larger view, you recognize it as the kind of situation that could create big problems down the road. Here's an interruption that pays for itself many times over.
A colleague swings by your office to share the latest harvest from the grapevine. This interruption alerts you to the fact that a recent announcement has been seriously misinterpreted by the troops. It's still early enough to correct the misunderstanding and contain the damage. Was the interruption a waste of your time?
Your partner in life and love shows up at your office unexpectedly to take you out for lunch. You accept the invitation with grace even though you had planned to catch up on your business reading over yogurt and a banana. Was this interruption an inconvenience or a gift?
Not all interruptions are created equal. How do you recognize and encourage the right kind of interruptions? These signs will help you recognize an interruption that qualifies as a blessing in disguise.
Appreciate interruptions that bring you critical news and useful information.
Encourage interruptions that build and strengthen important relationships.
Recognize interruptions that expand and challenge your thinking.
Value interruptions that contribute to your top priorities (professional and personal).
On the flip side, there are interruptions that simply suck the lifeblood from your day. Guard against these infringements. Eliminate, avoid, and minimize as best you can.
Eliminate interruptions that add no new information and simply repeat what you already know or cover old territory one more time.
Avoid interruptions that encourage unhealthy dependencies (co-workers leaning on you to solve their problems so they don't have to think for themselves).
Bar interruptions that restrict your ability to attend to the top one or two important matters of the day.
Minimize interruptions from people whom you find discouraging or depressing. Let energy sappers find another parasitic host.
Request your free copy of Patricia's tip sheet, “Ten Tips For Making The Most Of Your Time & Your Life” by fax (306-242-0795) or email (info@patkatz.com).
Interested In More Articles? Check Out These Series
Work Wise Series: Success & Survival Strategies For The Non-Stop Workplace
The article you just read is one of a series of twelve, authored by Patricia Katz of Optimus Consulting, that offers fresh insights on productivity challenges in the non-stop workplace. From time use to technology choices to workplace learning, you will be challenged to rethink your habits and fine tune your practice.
Second Thoughts Series: Make Peace - Not War - With Time
A second series of twelve articles is geared to those feeling swamped by the crazymaking fallout of a 'haste at all costs' approach to life and work. Patricia Katz beams a spotlight at the roots of our love-hate relationship with the clock and offers strategies for building a more satisfying relationship with time.
Both series of articles make superb inserts in employee or client newsletters and add great value to company or industry magazines. The articles are available in print or electronic format.
To order either or both series, contact Patricia Katz, Optimus Consulting.
