So here are 3 tips to help you take charge of your work day. These come from Natural Health magazine.
- Take time-outs. For limited periods every day, don't answer your e-mails and forward your calls to voice mail. According to Patricia J. Hutchings, author of the book, "Managing Workplace Chaos," one hour of interrupted time equals 4 hours of productivity.
- Negotiate for time. Post your projects and deadlines on your door or your wall to show how the hours of your day are allocated. Then, instead of telling someone you're too busy for them, you can say, "I need your help prioritizing."
And finally, to take charge of your work day, schedule interruptions. If the office chatterbox traps you into a conversation, politely say, "I'm in the middle of a project, can I catch up with you at 3:45?" Chances are by that time, your coworker will be busy or will have forgotten. But you won't have offended them.