How to Handle Interruptions

Interruptions can cause a large proportion of time wastage.

Some jobs require constant accessibility, which encourages interruptions; other jobs or office enviroments can avoid interruptions more easily.

However, whatever the job or location, you should be looking to reduce the number of interruptions and the effects of unavoidable interruptions.

The first stage towards resolving interruptions is to identify the frequency, duration and cause of the interruption.

Ask yourself the following:

• How often am I interrupted in an average day (or week)?
• Do the interruptions normally occur during a particular period of the day?
• How long do they usually last?
• What was the subject of the interruption?
• Who was the interrupter?

The second stage towards resolving interruptions is to assess the productivity of the interruption.

Ask yourself the following:

• Did it help achieve results expected of me?

If it didn't, the objective is to avoid the interruption in future.

If it did, the objective is to "schedule" the interruption and where possible, reduce its duration.