Techniques for Avoiding Interruptions

A secretary and closed doors are the most obvious answers to stopping interruptions, but not all of us have the benefits of a secretary or our own office. It may be possible, however, to get a colleague at a nearby desk, to answer the phone for a short period.

So, how can you overcome these problems?

• You can place on your desk a big "Do Not Disturb" sign or a humourous adaptation of it.
• You can plan a regular (say 2 hour) period each day, when you advise people that you're not to be disturbed.
• You can find a separate room (e.g. conference room) to do important work.
• You can politely, but firmly suggest that the interrupter ask another person (they'll soon get in the habit).
• You can ask the interrupter to write down a message and promise to return an answer as soon as your period of non-interruptions is over.
• You can analyse the subject of regular interruptions and establish if methods such as regular information status reports can stop the interruptions.
• If all else fails, you can adopt the drastic measure suggested in an article "The Thief of Time" which was published in the British Institute of Management Bulletin several years ago:
  • Try to borrow a fiver
  • Fall asleep
  • Hold your breath until red in the face and twitch violently
  • Talk about your children who have mumps