Uninterrupted Time

With so much to do and so many opportunities, you might feel like you are constantly jumping from one activity to another.  It also seems like every 30 seconds or so there is a beep, ring, whirl, or interruption that begs for your attention.  One might argue that this is the working and living environment that we now live in - so you just have to deal with it.  The challenge then becomes, when do you get the real work done?  In some jobs, it is a full time job to just manage email.  Unfortunately, you have other responsibilities too.

In this day and age, it is vital to carve out time where there are no interruptions and that you can focus on accomplishing the things that matter most to you.  This environment must be clutter free.  In this environment you should be able to turn off the devices and notifications and concentrate.  It might not be realistic to be in this environment all day long, but you should schedule time in your day where you can think and focus on what it is you need to accomplish.  At first you might have trouble focusing because you are so use to jumping from one urgent thing to another.  But, with a little time and practice, you will be able to think more clearly and with that will come improved quality to your work.

Not More Than 15 Minutes

A survey by software company Harmon.ie found that 45% of workers say they can't go more than 15 minutes, on average, without an interruption. Amazing! While 15 minutes is a significant amount of time, it doesn't allow for alot of high mental focus. About the time you have reached the point where you are experiencing a breakthrough in thought-WHAM-you get interrupted.

If you are someone who experiences frequent interruptions and need more than 15 minutes without them, try some of these simple tips:

• Turn off technology around you-including e mail notification, phones and any computer alerts
• Move to an area where you aren't as visually distracted by things around you
• Go to a place where you coworkers can not as readily find you
• Start some instrumental music on your mp3 player (words tend to be distracting) and use your ear buds to tune out the noise around you
• Before you start to work on something that requires focus, ask yourself-what are the most likely things to distract me in the next hour? Once you have an answer, work on managing those things first.

Who knows what amazing idea was going to show up at the 16th minute?

Finally! A Brave Ringmaster

We got this automated response to an e mail sent out last week:

Thank you for your message. Due to some upcoming deadlines and my current workload, I will only be checking E-mail and phone messages a couple times each day. If you need immediate assistance, please call ______________ at xxx-xxx-xxxx. They will know how to reach me.

Isn't that the most beautiful e mail you have ever read? Okay... I know we are bit over the top, but it is encouraging to see. It educates others as to when they can expect a response to their inquiry. It helps any people who are communicating with this person by e mail to plan their own lineup instead of waiting on an immediate response. It also shows someone taking control of their circus-and we ALWAYS get excited when we see that happening.

What could you do today to take more control of your circus-and get more of your important tasks accomplished?

Preventative Maintenance In Your Lineup

While rushing through the airport last week, a wheel on my roller board suitcase broke. I immediately looked like someone dragging a bag of rocks. I finally resorted to picking up the bag, which was not a pleasant experience either. In the midst of my frustration I heard a voice (inside my head) saying, "Weren't you thinking the other day about the need to do some maintenance on your suitcase-lube the wheels, repair some zippers, etc.?" But so many more important things to do-or so I thought. Now the repair and frustration costs me much more than doing some "preventative maintenance."

As you reflect on your planning for the next few days, what are some areas where you need to perform some preventative maintenance. Is there a relationship you need to nurture, some small task that you need to do at work before it mushrooms into a bigger task? What about that checkup you have been meaning to get to? Remember-if you are proactive you get to choose when it goes into your lineup. If you let it go-you are at the mercy of when the act is ready to scream (literally) into your lineup-possibly wrecking your day, week or even longer length of time.

The Place For The Ultimate Intermission

In Juggling Elephants one of the suggestions we offer for maintaining productivity is taking an "intermission." A time when you step back from normal activity, reflect and refocus on your "next half."

If you are struggling with a place to "get away from it all," we have a humorous suggestion for you. Tristan da Cunha. Consider these facts about this remote island:

• A mail ship stops once a year at the island
• There are only about 270 inhabitants on the island
• The island covers about 30 square miles
• Five other islands in the area are not even inhabited

Talk about a place to rest and relax! Read more about this interesting spot at http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/most-remote-place.htm