Time Management Tips - Part 3

Here are some more ideas on managing interruptions:

· Create a solution focused environment by encouraging people to think about how they want things to be rather than just coming to you with the problem. Once they are clear on the desired result it is much easier and faster to explore what needs to happen for the issue to be resolved.

· Establish fixed times when you can be interrupted but be clear on directing people elsewhere for assistance if appropriate – for example policy queries may be set out in a company procedures manual, or some queries may be better handled by someone else, so refer the person on.

· For people who tend to pop in several times a day with various non urgent queries, have them list them and reduce the number of times they seek your assistance by dealing with several items in one discussion.

· If a scheduled meeting is running over for no good purpose, collect all your papers together, put your pen down and thank them for their time – then offer to walk them to the coffee machine if they still don’t get it!

· Use a different work space to get a particular task or project done, such as an empty conference room, an absent colleague’s vacant office or even the local library.

If you've got some other techniques you have used and found effective, please let me know.

Have a great weekend!