Increase Productivity: Limit Interruptions!

Efficiency & Time ManagementWell-being & BalanceAll employees≈ 20 min

Key skill: Mental load & focus

Summary

Take back control of your time from technological and human interruptions: run a week-long diagnostic, set ground rules, batch your exchanges, and respond to requests without getting overwhelmed.

Target audience

Anyone looking to (re)gain control of their time

Learning objectives

Diagnose your interruptions (date, person, channel, reason, urgency)
Master technological interruptions by putting them back to work for you
Limit human interruptions by setting rules and isolating yourself when needed
Batch your interaction time to avoid constant interruptions

Module outline

ArticlesThe drama of interruptions: key figures · Interruption and productivity: impact on focus and recommendations
Expert videoHow to diagnose interruptions, limit both technological and human interruptions, and respond to requests with tact
AnchoringA quiz and true/false questions to deepen the topic and anchor what you've learned
Memo cardA downloadable coaching memo card: the key takeaways from the expert video
CommitmentConcrete examples to help you define your own commitment
BonusA selection of videos to go further (TED, YouTube)

Models & methods

A week-long interruption diagnostic; the interruption kit: OK now, OK later, or not OK.

Research-based

Researchers at the University of California: email as the number-one interrupter; Thierry Venin: an interruption every 2 to 8 minutes.