The fact of the matter is you will get interrupted at the office. And it’s up to you to manage how and when others are allowed to interrupt you.

Action – So, establish some boundaries by classifying the type of interruptions you’ll allow into one of four categories:-

Class A interruptions are for issues you must be involved in. These are the only interruptions you’ll tolerate.

Class B interruptions are for issues that need less than a ten-second reply. People can bank up to 10 of these and meet with you once during the day.

Class C interruptions are for things that could go to someone else in the office. You do not have to be involved in everything.

And Class D interruptions are for things that could be resolved if people researched the information easily available somewhere else.

Remember though, this system is effective only if you apply it consistently and fairly.

3 Responses

  1. This is such a great reminder Nancy, when we are in the thick of projects, reporting, delegating and meetings, work gets a little hectic. Then you realize you have simple sound solutions (SSS) that have proven to work. All that is needed is application of those SSS. #RememberYourABCDs

  2. This is a wonderful breakdown of the interuptions I get daily, now how do I let people know my “scale” and where the things they need from me fall on the scale. 🙂

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