Get More Done Every Day - Protect Your Productive Time

"The number one complaint I hear is," I don't have time to focus during the day because people are always interrupting me." When you say, "Sure, I've got a minute" to someone, you're effectively saying, "No, I don't have time" to the project on your desk. And behind every project you're late on is a person you're letting down. "People hold up whole departments because they cannot control the flow of interruptions and focus on their work."

How can you say, "Not now" without sounding uncaring or rude? Tape a note to your cubicle: "Can it wait? Under deadline." When someone calls or stops by and says, "Do you have a minutes?" you can say, for instance, "I'm in the middle of something that I need to finish in about 20 minutes." Then defer that person to a later time. You set aside certain parts of each day when you can give people your undivided attention. That way, if you say, "Can we talk at 3 'clock?" you know you'll actually be available at that time.

Work in some body language cues to reinforce your I-can't-talk-right-now message. "I wear head phones at work and when someone pops their head in my door, I only uncover one ear so they know I'm not going to kick back with them." Other way to keep a visitor from lingering: Stand up just as the person stops by your office, as if you're on your way to a meeting, to lunch, or to the bathroom. Or keep your hands on your keyboard and turn your head just enough to make eye contact.