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A lot of our daily responsibilities require us to deal with interruptions, unanticipated events. These are not the problem. It is the unwanted, unnecessary interruptions that keep us from focusing on what really needs to get done. One strategy that I share in my Time Management seminars is the notion that "a problem well defined is 95% solved." We need to interrupt the interruptions!

Many of the interruptions we deal with can be eliminated. ("The best way to deal with a problem is to never have it.") To gain better control, I recommend the use of an "Interruptions Log." Nothing fancy, just a pad of paper headed with six columns: Date, Time, Who, What, Length, and Rating. After every interruption occurs, log it in! Record the date and time it occurred, who brought it to you, a word or two about what it dealt with, how long it took, and most important, your rating of its importance (A=crucial, B=important, C=little value, and D=no value). Plan to record this information for about a week to get a fair measure of what is really happening. (It is a nuisance to log this information in, but it does provide valuable insights!)

After accumulating this data for a week, go back and total up the A's, B's, C's, and D's. Most people discover that more than 50% of their interruptions were C's and D's, things that were not worth the time spent. Finally, go to each C and D interruption and ask yourself, "How could this one have been avoided?" Start to take proactive steps to ensure that it will not repeat itself in the future. Do this especially for the repetitive interruptions.

For example, perhaps someone comes to you two or three times a day asking for information that they could have easily located themselves. Unless there is an intervention, they will continue to interrupt you to get it. It is the path of least resistance. Help them to help themselves by teaching them how to get what they need on their own. Freeing your future from having to spend time on what you know will be fewer additional interruptions from this person.

All C and D interruptions will not be eliminated, but if you can head off and stop just a few, you can buy back an extra hour per day. You have then have carved out some additional time for long term projects that are being pushed back, thereby reducing some stress and frustration.

Author Info

Don Wetmore is a full-time professional speaker who specializes exclusively in the topic of Time Management. He conducts his nationally acclaimed Time Management Seminar throughout North America and Europe for people who want more out of life in less time, and with less stress. His seminars are witty, fast paced and filled with practical, common sense ideas and tools. One of the country's leading experts on this topic, he is the author of Beat the Clock!.

You and your group can get more done, in less time, with less stress. Invite Don to conduct his exciting Time Management Seminar, on-site, at your location, for groups of any size, from one hour up to three full days. For complete details, email your request for "on-site" to: ctsem@msn.com

You may contact him:
Don Wetmore, Productivity Institute
60 Huntington St., P.O. Box 2126
Huntington, CT 06484
Phone: (203) 929-9902 / (800) 969-3773 Fax: (203) 929-8151 Email: ctsem@msn.com Website: http://www.balancetime.com