1. Stick to discussing the job.
You should as soon as possible set a time frame to which you are ready to be interrupted. “I’m having a meeting in about five minutes. Can you briefly tell me your problem for half a minute, or better, I’ll call you after the meeting?”
2. End the call, interrupting yourself.
If latest news, weather, or other irrelevant topics bob up in the conversation, there can be a polite way to end the talk and not to offend a colleague, that is, killing yourself (instead) in the middle of a sentence. “Yes, I go to a party to celebrate the release of Joe retired. I have not bought a gift yet, so maybe you would suggest something during the lunch … But, I’m sorry, I need to call multiple clients, so I better get busy. I bring you a report on the status of the project tomorrow. “
3. Indicate expectations.
If someone interrupts you with some task, set up a desirable time frame. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get a straight answer to the question of when it should be done; so the answer is usually: “The sooner the better.” And there is one simple rule: if the job takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. Actually realizing their own timelines, you will be able to prioritize smartly.
4. Schedule a time when you can or cannot be interrupted.
Of course, some projects require greater concentration than the other; so you may need to schedule a separate time devoted to yourself, and to make sure that you could not be interrupted this time. If possible, let the calls go to voicemail, do not check e-mail, put a sign on the table that today, you are not available from 10:00 until 11:00, or even head to work in a quiet place where you can keep the door closed.
based on the book “Decide. Work Smarter, Reduce Your Stress and Lead by Example” by Steve McClatchy
