43 Folders

43 Folders feed subscription icon - Shiny!Time, Attention, and Creative Work. After 4 years and a lot of productivity pr0n, we’re shifting gears. Re-learn how to use 43 Folders. Then back to work. [»]

”What’s 43 Folders?”
43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

Managing around interruptions

Being organized means marshalling resources - The Boston Globe

Cindy Krischer Goodman’s recent article on time management for the overcommitted and overwhelmed contains a gem from Stephanie Winston, who points out how senior executives learn to manage around the interruptions in their lives:

To do this, she says, start by blocking an hour or half-hour each day as power time to accomplish priorities. That may mean coming in early or hiding in the cafeteria to escape interruptions.

Break tasks into 10-minute segments; when you get interrupted, jot a phrase or cue to bring you back into the task later. When people drop in or call, give them your full attention, she suggests.

I think this is one reason why I like getting up early; time like that is so much easier to claim and defend before the world’s demands start banging down your door.


Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Drainedge Link Tank » Today’s Links's picture

[...] GTD, DIY & Productivity...

[…] GTD, DIY & Productivity Managing around interruptions - 43Folders […]

Links - 081406 at 54monkeys studio's picture

[...] Managing around interruptions. While...

[…] Managing around interruptions. While I’m fairly organized on the papers side, I get interrupted a lot, especially when I’m trying to, say, write a 2100-word article due next week or a marketing plan. I started coming into work an hour before everyone else, just for an hour of quiet time.  […]

Getting Things Done, GTD, Mac, Personal Productivity, Time M's picture

[...] 43Folders. ...

[…] 43Folders.  Bookmark on del.icio.us Trackback:http://www.3thingstoday.com/2006/08/15/managing-interruptions/trackback/ […]

About Merlin Mann

Merlin Mann's picture

Bio

Merlin Mann is an independent writer, speaker, and broadcaster. He’s best known for being the guy who started the website you’re reading right now. He lives in San Francisco, does lots of public speaking, and helps make cool things like You Look Nice Today. Also? He looks like this, answers questions, and has something like a life.

Merlin’s favorite thing he’s written recently is a short essay called, “Better.”

 
EXPLORE 43Folders THE GOOD STUFF

An Oblique Strategy:
Not building a wall; making a brick


STAY IN THE LOOP:

Subscribe with Google Reader

Subscribe on Netvibes

Add to Technorati Favorites

Subscribe on Pageflakes

Add RSS feed

The Podcast Feed

Inbox Zero

The original 43 Folders series looking at the skills, tools, and attitude needed to empty your email inbox — and then keep it that way. Don’t miss the free video of Merlin’s Inbox Zero presentation.

Making Time

3-part series on attention management for artists and makers. Read Bad Correspondence, The Job You Think You Have, and One Clear Line.