Many of us, myself included, struggle with daily interruptions, and this is one of the main reasons we can’t finish our work within working hours.
There will always be someone who comes to us with a “Got a minute?”, a “Quick question…”, or a constant stream of pings from WhatsApp and Outlook.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the issue isn’t interruptions themselves, but how we handle them.
Here are a few ways I deal with interruptions diplomatically, without sounding rude or dismissive.
First, acknowledge before we block.
A simple, “Got it, this is important” goes a long way. People feel heard, and the urgency often softens.
Then, buy ourselves time.
Instead of saying “I’m busy,” try saying, “I’m in the middle of something right now. I can come back to you at 3pm.”
We are rescheduling instead of rejecting.
If you realise you’re not the right person to handle the issue, redirect is the next step.
“This might be better handled by Caryn from Finance.”
And when I’m working on something critical and time-sensitive, like payroll, I sometimes go into “hiding” mode.
Yes, literally.
I’ll find a quiet room or a nearby cafe where interruptions are less likely.
We are interruptible because we allow it.
So it’s totally okay to set boundaries and prioritise our work.
xoxoxo
