How to Control Distractions at Work

Do distractions at work keep you from getting your important work done? These interruptions can add up quickly. In this episode of our Productivity at Work video series, you’ll learn how you may be falling into a common trap that ends up eating up a lot of your time. It’s acting like a firefighter and letting distractions at work run your day.

Ken Okel’s Productivity at Work video series is designed to make you more effective on the job. Every week, you’ll learn a new, easy to digest tip that you can use right away.

What Productivity Questions Does This Video Answer?

How can I protect my time from distractions?
How do you know which problems to solve first?
How can I solve problems faster?
How can I get more done at work when people keep interrupting me?

Video Transcript

It’s a common challenge for a lot of otherwise effective leaders. They find themselves acting like firefighters while on the job and this prevents them from pursuing the big picture goals.

So what happens? Well you probably seen a firefighter you know what that life is like. Basically, in a firehouse, firefighters to do whatever they like they like. They can make a pot of chili, they can play a game, they can watch TV.

But the moment that alarm goes off drop everything and respond to that call, whether it turns out to be a really serious emergency, like five alarm fire or something not so serious, like a cat stuck in tree.

That’s the life of a firefighter and I’m glad that’s what they do but you shouldn’t be acting like a firefighter at work.

Here’s what happens. You’re doing your work and then all of the sudden you get an interruption from a colleague. They have some sort of problem and they’d like you to respond to it right away

Before you jump in and abandon all your work, think about a few things. Is this problem really urgent? For the other person it may be but for you it may be further down the list.

I also want to consider are you the only person who can respond to this so-called emergency? Maybe you are but maybe there someone else. Maybe you were just the closest person around and that’s why you getting asked to help.

Finally, if you are the person who needs to deal with the situation right away, ask the person who brought to the concern whether he or she has any possible solutions in mind. This keeps you from having to do all of the legwork. Very often someone already has the solution to the problem but they may not volunteer the information unless you ask. Protect your productive time don’t act like a firefighter at work.

About Ken Okel

Ken Okel works with leaders and organizations to boost productivity, performance, and profits. At conferences, conventions, and company meetings, he engages audiences with new ways to maximize their time at work. To watch a section of his keynote and workshop presentations, visit the professional speaking video section of his website.