Distractions happen! Do you welcome anything that breaks the routine? Or do you hate getting interrupted when you’re on a roll? It usually depends on what you’re doing and how much you like doing it. And it’s influenced by what or who is distracting you. Let’s get you organized – here are six ways to deal with distractions.
My clients are business professionals like you. They want to know how to manage distractions – or get rid of them altogether – so they can get back to work. But many distractions are the result of the fast pace of the business world. You can’t plan everything, and neither can your people. Things pop up unexpectedly and insert themselves into your schedule in the form of interruptions, distractions, and disruptions.
Do distractions stress you out? Think about stress as a verb and understand your part in your reaction. If you’re usually interrupted 15% of your time during the day, don’t plan a 100% time schedule.
To deal with distractions, know everything can’t be planned ahead of time.
Regardless of your agenda or mood today, you will have distractions. Maybe you’ll welcome them, and maybe not. Eliminating them is unlikely, so how can you plan for disruptions and even accommodate them without going crazy?
- Allow some wiggle room in your schedule to allow space and time for interruptions.
- Realize that an out-of-the-blue distraction could give you important insight or an important perspective.
- Notice when your distractions are likely to come and schedule time for them then.
- Prioritize the necessity of the distraction, and group low-priority demands together.
- Resist the temptation to take care of something just because it’s distracting you now.
- Acknowledge that you’re unable to be distracted at the moment, and suggest it be handled at an alternative time.
By planning for distraction, you’ll be more likely to deal with it on your terms. You won’t be blindsided by something that you knew was coming. You’ll be a more effective leader, too. You haven’t peaked yet!