The story goes like this, two weeks ago I was sitting down working on essays, then I got a text from a classmate who was “lost” on what to have for lunch, hear me out I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, id love to give my output on a nice lunch spot but nit when I’m in the middle of making an essay  When you do, somehow the talk lasted ten minutes and did in fact derail my workflow.  And to be honest this is something everyone can agree on: the only things more frustrating than interruptions are unnecessary interruptions. Whether they mean to be or not, the cause of both is almost always people. Bad news: other people are impossible to control. But with a few key tactics I’ve read, I learned that is it possible for me to at least manage their impact on my work time.

First and foremost, the part that I struggle with the most, just like a lot of other people; learning the power of saying NO. Protect your precious time and refuse additional requests or tasks when it’s necessary. Some requests are stupid and they can for sure be postponed, so just set a later time to address them, ensuring it doesn’t disrupt your current flow.

Second, set boundaries. Use a classic “Do Not Disturb” sign on your desk, have your phone on sleeping mode even if it is 11 pm, or consider relocating to a quieter space to reduce disruptions. And if you are put in a situation where you have to address an interruption, allocate a very limited to it, ten minutes maximum to only figure out the way you’ll deal with it later if necessary

Third, lead by example. Keep your communication with others brief and to the point. For instance, craft your emails with a clear purpose, provide relevant background information, and only send them to people who you are sure will really need to read them. By minimizing unnecessary recipients, you streamline communication and save valuable time. Consider that for more complex issues, face-to-face or phone conversations may allow you to communicate more efficiently.

Finally, let’s stop sweeping dust under the carpet. We all have those tasks we delay because they’re difficult or simply unenjoyable like writing a three point essay. But here’s the truth: procrastination only destroys your productivity. With proper organization, you should have a good idea of which tasks should take priority.

From friendly chit-chat to lengthy business lunches, social interactions can either enhance productivity in the workplace or crash everyone’s focus. But with the proper tools, it’s possible to strike the proper balance between chumminess and productivity.

How about taking a critical look at our social interactions at Proakatemia. For instance, consider the many never-ending team lunches and outings. Sometimes I do question what kind of value do they really contribute? Do these engagements add to meaningful relationships, or can we adapt some alternative approaches that might achieve the same results in less time?

To be honest, being an event manager has offered me more opportunities for delegation, it is my secret weapon in the battle against time constraints. It is somehow hard to implement this in Proakatemia, but this is how I do it at my student association: Consider which of your tasks could be outsourced with minimal risk, and after that make sure to select the right person, maintain clear communication, and monitor progress. This won’t just free up your time but also work on your communication and trust with other colleagues or team members.

One final helpful thing that I have learned while interacting with coaches when I need help in Aksu; is the golden question: “What do you think you should do?”, I used to dislike it in the beginning but the more I thought about the more I realized that it does in a way encourage independent problem-solving, and also helps foster a culture of growth.

REFERENCE

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. O, Burkeman. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 2021.