Struggling with interruptions?
Struggling with interruptions?
In a past email, I've shared with you how to cluster-task your to-do list... dividing the things you have to do into categories of activities, so that you can tackle similar tasks all at the same time.
Now, consider taking that approach one step further and break-down your daily schedule by the categories of tasks that you have on your list.
I do not advocate trying to plan 100% of your time. That's a recipe for disaster... you have to have some flex time built into every day because not everything goes according to plan.
I prefer to break every day up into 2 two-hour blocks in the morning; two 2-hour blocks in the afternoon; and two 2-hour blocks in the evening.
That's all the structure I try to give myself. Within those blocks of time, I cluster my tasks by type.
So, I might use one of my morning blocks for all of my phone calls. I might use the second morning block to work on a project. The afternoon blocks might be scheduled with coaching clients. Evening blocks tend to be filled with family stuff.
Why two hours?
Two hours is not so long that you'll feel like your whole day has been sucked up, but it's long enough to make a dent in any task list or on a significant project.
This approach actually gives me 50% of every day that I exert total control over... everything outside of those blocks is complete wiggle room and I can use it for whatever comes up.
Now, do my blocks work out perfectly every day? No, not always.
BUT I've always found that the days that I am able to practice my blocking technique are the days when I feel most productive and effective.
Try the blocking technique this week and let me know how it goes!
Why this matters...
Workplace research shows that the average worker loses 2.1 hours every single day to interruptions. It's not just the interruption itself that is impactful, but also the "recovery time" that is required for you to get back on task.
Struggling with interruptions - To learn more about this author, visit Joy Duling's Website.
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The most powerful antidote to the interruption dynamic is my cluster-tasking technique.
In a past email, I've shared with you how to cluster-task your to-do list... dividing the things you have to do into categories of activities, so that you can tackle similar tasks all at the same time.
Now, consider taking that approach one step further and break-down your daily schedule by the categories of tasks that you have on your list.
I do not advocate trying to plan 100% of your time. That's a recipe for disaster... you have to have some flex time built into every day because not everything goes according to plan.
I prefer to break every day up into 2 two-hour blocks in the morning; two 2-hour blocks in the afternoon; and two 2-hour blocks in the evening.
That's all the structure I try to give myself. Within those blocks of time, I cluster my tasks by type.
So, I might use one of my morning blocks for all of my phone calls. I might use the second morning block to work on a project. The afternoon blocks might be scheduled with coaching clients. Evening blocks tend to be filled with family stuff.
Why two hours?
Two hours is not so long that you'll feel like your whole day has been sucked up, but it's long enough to make a dent in any task list or on a significant project.
This approach actually gives me 50% of every day that I exert total control over... everything outside of those blocks is complete wiggle room and I can use it for whatever comes up.
Now, do my blocks work out perfectly every day? No, not always.
BUT I've always found that the days that I am able to practice my blocking technique are the days when I feel most productive and effective.
Try the blocking technique this week and let me know how it goes!
Why this matters...
Workplace research shows that the average worker loses 2.1 hours every single day to interruptions. It's not just the interruption itself that is impactful, but also the "recovery time" that is required for you to get back on task.
Struggling with interruptions - To learn more about this author, visit Joy Duling's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
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