So many people think of interruptions as a bad thing. And, they mostly are. They tear away your ability to be productive. But, what if you capitalized on them instead?
There’s lots to say about how Not To Be Interrupted. And mostly, it’s good advice. Heck, I give it. AND have you ever thought about how interruptions are the spice in the bland chicken?
When we release our stranglehold on trying to control everything, life gets easier. When life gets easier, we think more clearly. When we think more clearly, we have really great ideas. And then, instead of jumping from thing-to-thing, we actually have the energy to implement those great (maybe even amazing) ideas. As a (really important) side benefit, I have watched my health improve as I let go.
Wow.
And I am known for Productivity. What happened? I’ll say it…ready?
Real life.
The quest for “balance.” I call it ‘Being Real’. Here are some tips to be real, in the realm of Interruption Management.
- Take charge. Decide what you will do and who you will be WHEN you get interrupted. You don’t have to let people steal your time, but choose your response before it happens.
- Think ahead. Block out time to spend with a person who usually interrupts you. Call her just to chat; if local, ask her to lunch.
- Plan for the unknown. When an interruption occurs, welcome it. Look for what you can learn from the experience, and don’t get annoyed. Instead, embrace this as a chance to grow.
When you do these things, you will stop being obsessed with maximizing your day., and you will actually get more out of not only your day, but your life. You will be calm in the storm. You will possess leadership abilities beyond most.
Want to achieve your big dreams? Slow down, be interrupted, focus on what’s most important. Be present.
In our next blog, I’ll be back to my old self (somewhat) – identifying things that you can do to maximize your time. Thank goodness, right?