Ten Ways To Minimize Workplace Interruptions

Time Concept on Striped Background.You may be trying hard to practice your organizing techniques but still manage to complete only a few of your tasks at the end of the day. It may be due to uncontrolled workplace interruptions.

We suggest ten ways to minimize interruptions in the workplace without sacrificing your role of being accessible and available to co-workers and clients:

1. Use your voicemail when you are doing something important that needs your uninterrupted attention and concentration especially with a deadline. Schedule a time to respond to your messages.

2. Instead of checking your email every few minutes and responding immediately to each email, set a schedule on which times of the day you should read and respond to email messages.

3. If you are someone whom your co-workers often ask for company policies or procedures, create an FAQ and make it accessible to co-workers.

4. When you are in charge of certain processes in the workplace such as reservations, create a procedure for the process in making requests such as an online form.

5. Clearly communicate information needs and turnaround times especially for job order requests in order to avoid unnecessary follow-ups.

6. Block out time on office calendars so you can work without interruption.

7. If you are on a tight deadline or working on something extremely important, make yourself unavailable for interruptions by working outside your office – even if it is just the empty conference room.

8. If you are able to adjust your schedule, take advantage of this opportunity such as working earlier than usual, or having a different day off and work when everyone’s off. This way, you will have less interruptions and you can get more work done.

9. Set certain hours of the day when you will be available to answer questions from co-workers.

10. If you are working on a project with different departments or co-workers, create a regular update meeting in order for everyone to be clearly updated with information and avoid wasting time updating each other individually.

(Image Source: iCLIPART)

Are Your Co-Workers Stressing You Out?

It seems like every office has at least one jerk, loudmouth, or snooping pest that drives everyone crazy. Even if they are only mildly annoying, interacting with them on a daily basis can be incredibly stressful.

What are some of the things that co-workers rate as the most annoying? Loud cell-phone talkers, habitual space-invaders, and general rudeness and inconsiderate behavior towards others.

According to one ABCNEWS.com story titled, “Trapped in co-worker hell,” co-workers’ annoying habits are the #1 source of workplace stress (survey by www.truejobs.com).

Nearly 60% of the 2,200 who responded said bad habits and manners of co-workers as the cause of stress that negatively impacts their work life, and 40% said that annoying co-workers have led them to seek new
jobs.