MANAGING YOUR TIME / 191Dealing with interruptions
Make sure the working day is under your
control by eliminating interruptions at
key times. If you are working on a report
that requires concentration, divert your
phone or put it on voicemail, and set
aside 15 minutes every so often to collectmessages and return calls. Let people
know you will be unavailable between
certain times. If someone drops in to
talk to you at an unexpected time, tell
them you are working to a deadline
and avoid making eye contact—they
will get the message.EMAILS
>>^ Streamline your use of email^
by checking for new messages
and responding to them only
at certain times of the day.
>> Use color to highlight
important or urgent emails.
>>^ Target emails: avoid copying^
in people you don’t need to,
and ask others to do the same.
>>^ Clear out your email^
inbox regularly.WORKING QUICKLY
>>^ Make your decision and
don’t keep thinking about
it afterward.
>> Balance time with quality
control; a report may be
excellent, but if it’s too late
it may be of no use.
>>^ Concentrate on what you’re
doing at a particular time, and
don’t let your thoughts flit from
one thing to another.US_190-191_Managing_your_time_3.indd 191 30/05/16 3:03 pm