In this video, Dr. Melissa Gratias reads an excerpt from her book, Reduce Interruptions…you don’t have to be a victim.

Are you interrupted almost constantly at work? Listen to Dr. Gratias as she challenges you to consider what you are doing to encourage others to interrupt you.

Excerpt from Reduce Interruptions…you don’t have to be a victim.

If you reward it, you will receive it.  If your colleagues find that the easiest and most effective way to get an answer from you is to interrupt you, then guess what?  You will be interrupted constantly.  According to a survey by Basex, 62% of people believe that is completely okay for someone to interrupt them at work for non-business-related reasons.  Are you in the 62%?  Before you say “No way!” consider the following behaviors:

• You sit facing the door to your work space and look up at everyone who walks by.
• You have an office door that is never closed unless you are in a meeting.
• Your answer to “Got a minute?” is almost always “Sure.”
• You are notified of every incoming email and/or IM (instant message), either on your computer or mobile device, and typically respond immediately.
• You rarely (if ever) activate the do not disturb features on your phone or IM system.

 

While well-intended as means to ensure “open communication,” the actions above encourage others to interrupt you – for urgent and non-urgent reasons.  Effectiveness in the presence of other humans necessitates setting appropriate boundaries to help you maintain focus.

Are you ready to get serious about this workplace productivity thief?


Read my eBook Reduce Interruptions…you don’t have to be a victim.

Melissa Gratias (pronounced “Gracious”) used to think that productivity was a result of working long hours. And, she worked a lot of hours. Then, she learned that productivity is a skill set, not a personality trait. Now, Melissa is a productivity expert who coaches and trains other businesspeople to be more focused, balanced, and effective. She is a prolific writer and speaker who travels the world helping people change how they work and improve how they live. Contact her at getproductive@melissagratias.com or 912-417-2505. Sign up to receive her productivity tips via email.