Schedule Time for Interruption

One of the most challenging situations people face when planning their day is how to stick to their schedule when they are constantly being interrupted. Just when your activities are organized, someone else's emergency seems to get in the way. A client has a crisis, co-workers are in a jam, your boss is breathing down your neck, a friend calls, or any of the dozens of other interruptions you face on any given day.

The solution is extremely simple and equally powerful ~ Schedule Time for Interruption. That's right, just as you would schedule a meeting with a customer or event with your boss, scheduling a specific time in your day for interruptions is a technique that our students nationwide continually tell us is one of the most powerful time management tips they have ever used.

How does this work? There are two components. First, as you are planning your day or week, allot a certain amount of time for the sole purpose of dealing with 'other people's emergencies.' What normally happens when someone calls or comes running into your office with something that they need your immediate help with? You drop whatever you are in the middle of and rush to their attention. Not only is their issue something that may not be of any importance to you, but I recently heard that it takes most people around 20 minutes to return to the level of focus they had before being interrupted. Wonder where those 'lost hours' go each day? Rebounding from all your interruptions!

But we do not want to tell our clients, managers, and co-workers that we aren't there for them. Now you can have the best of both. You have a specific time predetermined in your day that you are available for 'scheduled interruptions.' Instead to denying the requests of others, you can simply plan a time that you will be able to help them.

The second component is to stick to your schedule and communicate to others when you are available for them and when you are not. If this seems unrealistic or impractical, that is because you have never tried it! In the long run, your boss with be impressed that you are getting more done, you will have more quality time to prevent most of your clients' crises, and your coworkers will learn that you are not at their beck and call.

A frequent question people ask is, "how much interruption time do I need to schedule and when should I schedule it?" That, of course, is going to vary from person to person, but as a general rule, I say as much as you need and when it is convenient for you. If you are the manager of a large group of people, you are going to have more people knocking on your door for help with their challenges than if you are just getting started with a company. Try out the amount you think will be adequate and you will quickly realize if it's the right amount for your needs. Most people find that right before or after lunch makes sense, as that is an easy breaking time in the middle of the day.

Eric Plantenberg, President of Freedom Speakers and Trainers, currently trains professionals across the country in memory, goal setting, attitude, time management, and effective communications. His newest program, P.A.C.T., is an intensive one-on-one twelve week personal coaching program designed for those who are serious about their success. Please click here for more information on Eric http://www.deliverfreedom.com/speakers_eric. html or Freedom Speakers and Trainers http://www.deliverfreedom.com Call 888-233-0407 x112 email eric@deliverfreedom.com

---

Linking Purpose To Everyday Behaviors

How do you know what's the best use of your... Read More

How to Make More Time For Your Life

Do you wish you could work less and play more?... Read More

When is the Best Time to Plan Your Day?

When is the best time to plan your day? Well,... Read More

Time Management: 11 Tips

Work more efficiently and be more productive using these time-management... Read More

Are You Watching Too Much TV?

Many folks tell me that they just don't have time... Read More

Winning The Fight Between You And The Clock

"Slaves to the clock" was the cover story in the... Read More

Effective Time Management Techniques

TIME MANAGEMENTWith the creation of the universe, God gave humankind... Read More

How to Put Housework on Autopilot!

My husband and I recently returned from a trip to... Read More

Work at Home Moms: Time Management Tips

"How do you DO it?!" If I had a dime... Read More

Giving Up the Cape

"I find it interesting that the very cape I tried... Read More

TIME, The Undervalued Resource

We are all born equal! We all have the same... Read More

Time Well Spent

It is common knowledge that creating and living according to... Read More

Sharpen The Saw

Sometime ago, my lovely wife woke me up in the... Read More

Time Management And How It Affects Your Kids

Last week I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More

Effective Email and Verses Voicemail

Time management consultant Stephen Young claims that the average time... Read More

Beyond Time Management ? Seven Ways to Leverage Your Time for Greater Results

Most of us have a to-do list ? some of... Read More

Creative Leadership; Inspirational Power ( Part 2 )

Time management is absolute crucial nowadays where business decisions have... Read More

Creating A Not-To-Do List

When I sit down with a client to work on... Read More

Sprint Through Your Workday, Even if Youre a Marathoner

Whenever you have projects that can't be done in one... Read More

Let Someone Else Do It

When you decide to become self-employed, you automatically become the... Read More

Managing Time to Accomplish More

Time is inelastic. Despite what some of us persist in... Read More

Freelance Productivity: Do One Thing Extra Each Day

This may not sound like a big deal. But it's... Read More

Because Its Been Years Since Youve Seen a Blank Calendar

If you have ever missed an appointment, forgotten to pick... Read More

How to Double Your Accomplishment Level

Here's a smart system for doubling or tripling your daily... Read More

Time Mastery vs. Time Management - Knowing the Difference

How much time do you spend on Mastering Your Time?... Read More

Desktop Management Boosts Productivity

Many of us spend long hours at our desk. To... Read More

6 Time Management Tips for Moms

Many of you have expressed the challenge of not having... Read More

Time Management For Home Business Owners

As each day passes, and more and more things need... Read More

Painful Cost of Working Yourself to Death

We all know the harmful effects of overwork. People get... Read More

Quick Tips On Time Management

Want to improve your time management?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More

Scheduling Productive Days - Dont Interrupt, Im Pouring Concrete

Almost everyone in business knows the balancing act between the... Read More

How Much Is Poor Time Management Costing You?

* If you were paying you to prioritise emails over... Read More

9 Proven Principles for Increasing Productivity, Profit and Peace of Mind

Do you feel guilty about all the publications you purchase... Read More