Self Help

Ring Ring Ring…

The biggest interrupter is probably the phone. There are people who think the solution is to take it off the hook. An answering machine might be the answer to help screen your calls. I prefer to answer the phone and manage the caller. If it’s a salesperson, I tell them “no” right off. Almost any of my calls for business, church, or volunteer work can be handled within five or ten minutes.

For a friend, I can always take out ten minutes, but during high-priority work hours, I don’t allow myself the luxury of a lengthy chat. Don’t wait for them to phone back. Initiate the call yourself because the one who makes the call has more control over the conversation.

Once in a while a friend calls with a real problem. I like to be helpful, but some people with problems are phone-a-holics and seem to live soap-opera lives. They are always looking for a listener to share the intimate details of the saga. I don’t waste my time watching it on TV, and I don’t waste time listening to it, either.

There is a difference between being a caring and loving person and being used. When you give in to such an interruption and allow that person unlimited phone time, you are saying “no” to your work or whatever you might choose to do - take a bath or nap, work on a project, read, or help your child. You are the manager. Tell them, “I am busy right now. Is there another time we can talk?” Or lie: “I have an appointment and must run.”

The telephone is a wonderful invention. It helps keep friendships alive and saves hours of shopping and working on service projects, but it can gobble up work time. You can’t get much done with the receiver propped on your shoulder. By all means, have a long cord on the kitchen phone. If you can polish the refrigerator or clean out a drawer while talking on the phone, fine, but count it as recreation, not efficient work time.

Interruptions from Children

If you have young children, stay flexible and expect interruptions because its all part of parenting. Look at children’s requests as opportunities, not intrusions. Even so, a child’s needs can be managed somewhat. For example, taking care of a child’s physical needs early in the day - bathing, feeding, and dressing can eliminate intrusions later. Start the day your way.

Get up on time and fix breakfast. When you sleep in, the kids are likely to get up on their own, get out the cereal and milk, and start watching TV. It will take time to clean up the mess, a hassle about turning off the TV once they are into their show, and a battle to get them started on their grooming and chores.

There are good and bad times to work. Think back on yesterday. At what time did most interruptions occur? Maybe you are trying to work at an inappropriate time. Do not try to work too long into child-care time, particularly eating times or bedtime routine. A parent of young children probably cannot do anything for more than thirty or forty-five minutes without attending to the child in some way.