Here are a range of ways you can use to try to deal with “interrupters”. Some are more serious than others, but all are aimed at getting your message across. Use the ones you feel comfortable with…
Start be establishing your own “interrupter priorities”. This starts with people who can interrupt you at virtually any time e.g. your boss, general manager, Customer etc. Secondly, those who can take your time when you are not particularly busy e.g. colleagues. Finally, those who you believe shouldn’t be allowed to take your time at all e.g. gossiping time-wasters. Establishing such a priority list in your head is a good starting point towards dealing with “interrupters”
But, make sure that relevant people e.g. team members know that, in a genuine emergency, you can always be interrupted. This doesn’t mean simply because they decide they need help!
Let your colleagues and team members know how you plan your day. Try and establish set times when it's best for people to come and see you
Deal with people who interrupt you routinely and for repetitive reasons. There may be a need for clearer goal-setting, task analysis or training (whether official, or simply you being helpful) to make them more confident in undertaking their tasks
With a chronic interrupter - before they can open their mouth, describe, in detail how busy you are. This makes it more difficult for them to try and burden you with even more
Time their interruptions! A wristwatch, stopwatch or even egg-timer can be used. When people ask: "Can you spare a couple of minutes" - you purposely allocate this exact amount of time. Keep checking as they talk!
Stand up to greet interrupters. They instantly feel less inclined to take a lot of your time - and it's easier to walk them towards the door or away from your work area! Standing up is also a useful technique when dealing with telephone interruptions - it makes you sound and feel more businesslike
Now, look for more great tips in part two!
Time management - dealing with "interruptors" - part one - To learn more about this author, visit Gordon Veniard's Website.
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Gordon Veniard
(Visit Gordon's Website)
GORDON VENIARD thanks you for your
interest in these articles
He has been delivering training events -
and creating and providing valuable
development materials - for more than 20
years
Gordon covers a wide range of business
communication, promotion, sales,
negotiation, customer service, leadership
and management subjects. He has worked
with major companies and organisations;
spoken at many conferences and seminars -
always adding good humor to valuable
advice
To find out more, Gordon would be pleased
if you would take a moment to visit his
new website: www.thevenwor
ks.com. You can register for his free
business tips newsletter; and download
some valuable freebies (including a
copyable, free-to-use "to-do" list)
If you have any queries or questions you
would like Gordon to answer, please email:
gordo
n@thevenworks.com
Thanks again - please enjoy - and feel
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