Any ideas on who to not get distracted while at work so you can complete tasks.....?

Question

you know chatty coworkers..., personal emails, work emails,

Answer 1

chatty coworkers :
"Hey, you know that is interesting, I don't mean to cut oyu off but I have got to finish here, maybe we can talk aobut that over lunch or after work"
"I don't mean to be rude but I really have to get to work here. Maybe you could send me an email or give me a call at home later"

Personal emails: make a policy not to even check them at work, most companies don't like you to do this anyway. If you don't have a computer at home then check them at the library- if you have to check them at work, set a specific day and time to do so and keep within the boundaries of your time limit to do so or check them only on your lunch break or personal break.

work email: prioritize- deal wit hthe emails that either directly relate to what you are working on at that particular moment and/ or the ones that your boss puts high priority on. Emails from coworkers that don't affect the task you are directly working on can be set aside for later .

For the most part, not getting distracted is going to take self discipline. You are going to have to decide to and then stick with the plan to prioritize and order your workday. You are going to have to decide to be bold (not rude) to coworkers and let them know that you have work to do and cannot devote time to idle chatter. You are going to have to take responsibility for what you decide to do and when. If you can take charge of these things you will find yourself becoming so much more productive and find that you actually have more time on your hands for 'the extras'

Answer 2

Here's a few ideas:

Set a certain time aside to read all emails, for instance - a half hour in the morning and a half hour in the afternoon. There's no law that says you have to read an email as soon as you get it.

If a co-worker is chatting with you specifically, tell them you can't talk at the moment, you're working on a deadline and really have to concentrate. If it's simply the noise of chatty co-workers in the background that's distracting, use some light earplugs that still allow you to hear if someone speaks to you directly. Or else listen to CD player or iPod with headphones, but turn the sound way down.

Ultimately, you have to make a concerted effort to focus on your tasks and "train" your brain to tune out the distractions.

Answer 3

I am really busy at work so I deal with this all the time.

Chatty co-workers; 'I would to love to chat but I am totally swamped." (Still seem like the nice guy.)

Personal Emails; I only answer them at the beginning or end of the day.

Work Emails; I only answer them if it's neccessary.

Answer 4

That's so funny because I suffer from the same problem! You definitely have to utilize your time management skills. When you first get to work, concentrate on big tasks first and if you have a door close it or if you don't, when one of your chatty co-workers stops by, just tell them, "hey "Bob" I'd love to stop and chat but I've GOT to meet his noon deadline" surely "Bob" will understand. :) Check personal emails after you have checked your work related ones. I've tried these suggestions and they do work! Good luck!

Answer 5

you have to ignore the e-mail's and then when you have a chance catch up on the e-mail's

Also make a list, write it down, of tasks to complete. Cross them off the list as you finish a task. Keep looking at the list as a reminder of what you need to do.

For chatty co-workers you don't want to be rude but do you bother them when you are not busy and they are working on a deadline??? I hope not so you should not welcome them into your area when you have work to do. say, "I relly need to get this done, we can talk later, sorry." Be nice about it.

Answer 6

Do only one task at a time. Multi-tasking is overrated: you'll spend far too much time trying to juggle many things, and not one thing gets completed in a timely manner. If emails and chatty co-workers have to wait, then they have to wait.

Answer 7

If i find myself listening to coworkers I try to decide if the conversation is relevant enough to pay attention. Most of the time its not. Leave the personal emails for home. You never know who will be watching. And stay off Yahoo answers its addicting.

Answer 8

earplugs, then wear Ipod earphones to cover but don't play the Ipod. If you see the chatty person coming, just put your nose in your work and start humming some tune

Answer 9

don't check any e-mails until you are done with the work that is most urgent and if a chatty coworker comes along you can talk with them but just keep pluggin away they will get the hint...

Answer 10

Make a list of everything you need to do...dont let yourself look at personal emails until that list is completed.