Did you know that the average person gets 1 interruption every 8 minutes, or approximately 7 an hour, or 50-60 per day! The average interruption takes 5 minutes, totalling about 4 hours or 50% of the average workday. 80% of those interruptions are typically rated as "little value" or "no Value" creating approximately 3 hours of wasted time per day or 690 wasted hours (or around 86 working days) per year!
These interruptions can come in the form of the phone ringing, an email arriving in your inbox, or someone popping in to your workspace to talk or ask a question. Of course, there are many other things which can interrupt your day, but these are the three most common.
If you're trying to finish something important, turn on your voicemail, you can let technology be your friend and take a message for you - just make sure you get back to the caller as soon as you're finished your task.
You can put a sign on your office door, or at your workspace explaining that you're busy - maybe give them a time to come back and talk to you - you know "Genius at Work.. I'll be free at 11:30am". I once met a lady who would put on a really daggy, colourful, flowery hat that she had bought at an op-shop and all her staff knew that if she was wearing the hat, then she was working on something important and they should come back later!! She said it worked brilliantly! You dont have to go as far as buying a silly hat, just find something that works for you.
You should always have your email notifications turned off so that you're not distracted by them arriving. Only check your inbox three or four times a day and handle each email once, either responding immediately or tasking for later.
Have a great day and feel free to email me with any questions on info@c2admin.com.au. And if I dont answer your email straight away - don't take it personally, it probably just means I'm working on my next blog :)
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