Cairn - April 2008 - Are You Easily Distracted?
Published: Wed, 04/02/08
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Cairn One Step At A Time |
April 2008
Issue 48
clare evans |
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personal & business coach | ||
Welcome to all new subscribers since last month.
Well, I got to play in some snow last month, spending Easter up in the Cheviots on the English borders. A long drive to get there and back and being the Easter weekend, I wasn't looking forward to being stuck in traffic for hours on end but we were lucky. Either most people had already set off or they weren't using the roads because of the traffic news saying they were expecting the worst traffic jams 'ever'. No one likes to be sitting in a car park on a motorway. Luckily the traffic wasn't too bad. There were a few slow patches and several places with road works but we made it up to our bunkhouse in time for a glass of wine in front of the log burning stove. More on this in my blog.
If you missed my Procrastination teleclass last month, I'll be running it again later in the year - along with several other key topics that seem to be important in managing your time more effectively. These teleclasses take place each month and are an ideal opportunity to share your challenges and get solutions while only taking an hour out of your day. Currently these are only running at lunchtime but if you would prefer them at a different time of day, for instance - in the evening, let me know. I know some of you are often too busy during the day and might prefer these in the evening and that might also fit better across different time zones. I don't just work with people in the UK.
I also went off road driving for the first time. It's part of my work as a volunteer ranger and will enable me to drive the land rovers when out on tasks. I was phoned up at short notice as someone had dropped out of the course. It did mean an early start, as the off road centre was in Kent but getting ahead of the traffic meant we got there in good time. It was a cold day and with the rain from the previous few days the course was extremely muddy! Firstly, we talked through the theory behind 4-wheel driving and then went out to put it into practice. Lots of it as there were only three of us. It's amazing how steep a slope these vehicles will go up and down. That's what they're made for - not driving to and from the nearest supermarket.
You can catch up with the rest of what I've been up to in my blog - http://www.clareevans.blogspot.com.
Enjoy the rest of this newsletter.
Are You Easily Distracted?
I doubt you could get through a day without being distracted in one way or another by something. Either externally - by the phone, email and other people or internally - by your thoughts or a change in focus, particularly if you're working on something that is either difficult or doesn't really hold your interest. We're only human and we're easily bored and it's too easy to let these distractions interrupt the flow. What is your biggest source of interruption?
How much of your time do you spend on emails, phone calls, interruptions and low priority tasks? Take a look at what distracts you. What could you do to reduce or avoid these?
Life happens, so you need to be able to deal with distractions. Interruptions can also be an ideal excuse to distract you from work. If someone invites you to lunch or to go for a coffee, it's so easy to say 'yes', especially if you're dealing with your accounts.
When you get distracted or interrupted, ask yourself - "What's the best use of my time right now?"
How important is it that you deal with the distraction. What is the impact on your current task if you allow the distraction to continue?
Emails
Emails are rarely so urgent that they need to be responded to immediately, yet they can be a major source of distraction and interruption.
- Switch off the alert for new messages.
- Set your email to only check for messages every couple of hours.
Phone Calls
Phone calls are often a low-priority interruption and rarely a matter of urgency.
- If you have work to do and need some undisturbed time - use the answer machine to screen your calls or switch the phone through to voice-mail or to a colleague.
- Switch it off or unplug it completely.
If you do get interrupted by a phone call, arrange a time to talk later in the day rather than rushing the call or feeling pressured because you've left the task in hand.
People
How many times have you heard the question "Have you got a minute"? If you get interrupted and it's not convenient - say so! If you're busy ask to get back to them when you've got more time. Put a time limit on the interruption.
- Don't let people interrupt you on a regular basis. Get them to book an appointment.
- Let people know when you're available and when you don't want to be interrupted.
- Book a meeting room or use an empty office for a couple of hours.
- Work from home for the day. You'll get less interruption from people just 'dropping by' your desk.
On the Internet it's easy to get distracted or go off at a tangent when searching for information or following a thread or discussion topic. If this is a particular problem for you, take a look at my article on Online Networking.
If you would like to have more time in your day, increase your effectiveness and be more productive give me a call, send an email to info@clareevans.co.uk or sign-up for one of my Friday Focus sessions.
What's On, What's New
Up-coming teleclasses, workshops:
Friday Focus - A free 30 minute focused session to discuss your specific challenges, objectives and goals for 2008, get a sounding board for your ideas, increase your motivation and create accountability. Call or email to arrange a date and time.
Teleclass: Get Control of your Money. Discover key tips to help you to manage your money more wisely. Avoid things getting out of control and start saving for the things you really want out of life. Join this one-hour call on Tuesday 15th April at 12.45pm.
Teleclass: Get Control of your Time - Say No. A specific teleclass on one of the more common challenges facing most people today. Find out how to get back in control of your time by learning how to say no. Join this one-hour call on Tuesday 22nd April at 12.45pm.
Mums In Biz - Business start up seminars focusing directly on issues affecting busy mums. Providing answers, fun and inspiration with the ultimate aim of helping them establish a business in tandem with motherhood! The next one is on Tuesday 6th May and I'm one of the guest speakers.
If you were forwarded this issue of the newsletter you can register to receive your own copy each month by sending a blank email to claresnews@aweber.com. If you'd rather not receive my monthly newsletter, just click the link at the bottom of this email.
Until next month, don't get too distracted.
Clare
Clare Evans - Personal and Business Time Management Coach
Phone: +44 (0)1273 588297
Email: info@clareevans.co.uk
Website: www.clareevans.co.uk
Get organised! Get a new perspective!
Copyright: Clare Evans Personal & Business Coaching © 2008
----------
Create your own automated newsletters with Aweber. E-mail follow up, ad tracking, & real-time stats for your emails. http://www.aweber.com/features.htm?207782
----------
Well, I got to play in some snow last month, spending Easter up in the Cheviots on the English borders. A long drive to get there and back and being the Easter weekend, I wasn't looking forward to being stuck in traffic for hours on end but we were lucky. Either most people had already set off or they weren't using the roads because of the traffic news saying they were expecting the worst traffic jams 'ever'. No one likes to be sitting in a car park on a motorway. Luckily the traffic wasn't too bad. There were a few slow patches and several places with road works but we made it up to our bunkhouse in time for a glass of wine in front of the log burning stove. More on this in my blog.
If you missed my Procrastination teleclass last month, I'll be running it again later in the year - along with several other key topics that seem to be important in managing your time more effectively. These teleclasses take place each month and are an ideal opportunity to share your challenges and get solutions while only taking an hour out of your day. Currently these are only running at lunchtime but if you would prefer them at a different time of day, for instance - in the evening, let me know. I know some of you are often too busy during the day and might prefer these in the evening and that might also fit better across different time zones. I don't just work with people in the UK.
I also went off road driving for the first time. It's part of my work as a volunteer ranger and will enable me to drive the land rovers when out on tasks. I was phoned up at short notice as someone had dropped out of the course. It did mean an early start, as the off road centre was in Kent but getting ahead of the traffic meant we got there in good time. It was a cold day and with the rain from the previous few days the course was extremely muddy! Firstly, we talked through the theory behind 4-wheel driving and then went out to put it into practice. Lots of it as there were only three of us. It's amazing how steep a slope these vehicles will go up and down. That's what they're made for - not driving to and from the nearest supermarket.
You can catch up with the rest of what I've been up to in my blog - http://www.clareevans.blogspot.com.
Enjoy the rest of this newsletter.
Are You Easily Distracted?
I doubt you could get through a day without being distracted in one way or another by something. Either externally - by the phone, email and other people or internally - by your thoughts or a change in focus, particularly if you're working on something that is either difficult or doesn't really hold your interest. We're only human and we're easily bored and it's too easy to let these distractions interrupt the flow. What is your biggest source of interruption?
-
Email
-
Phone
-
People
-
Meetings (see last month)
-
Internet
-
Self
How much of your time do you spend on emails, phone calls, interruptions and low priority tasks? Take a look at what distracts you. What could you do to reduce or avoid these?
Life happens, so you need to be able to deal with distractions. Interruptions can also be an ideal excuse to distract you from work. If someone invites you to lunch or to go for a coffee, it's so easy to say 'yes', especially if you're dealing with your accounts.
When you get distracted or interrupted, ask yourself - "What's the best use of my time right now?"
How important is it that you deal with the distraction. What is the impact on your current task if you allow the distraction to continue?
Emails
Emails are rarely so urgent that they need to be responded to immediately, yet they can be a major source of distraction and interruption.
- Switch off the alert for new messages.
- Set your email to only check for messages every couple of hours.
Phone Calls
Phone calls are often a low-priority interruption and rarely a matter of urgency.
- If you have work to do and need some undisturbed time - use the answer machine to screen your calls or switch the phone through to voice-mail or to a colleague.
- Switch it off or unplug it completely.
If you do get interrupted by a phone call, arrange a time to talk later in the day rather than rushing the call or feeling pressured because you've left the task in hand.
People
How many times have you heard the question "Have you got a minute"? If you get interrupted and it's not convenient - say so! If you're busy ask to get back to them when you've got more time. Put a time limit on the interruption.
- Don't let people interrupt you on a regular basis. Get them to book an appointment.
- Let people know when you're available and when you don't want to be interrupted.
- Book a meeting room or use an empty office for a couple of hours.
- Work from home for the day. You'll get less interruption from people just 'dropping by' your desk.
On the Internet it's easy to get distracted or go off at a tangent when searching for information or following a thread or discussion topic. If this is a particular problem for you, take a look at my article on Online Networking.
If you would like to have more time in your day, increase your effectiveness and be more productive give me a call, send an email to info@clareevans.co.uk or sign-up for one of my Friday Focus sessions.
What's On, What's New
Up-coming teleclasses, workshops:
Friday Focus - A free 30 minute focused session to discuss your specific challenges, objectives and goals for 2008, get a sounding board for your ideas, increase your motivation and create accountability. Call or email to arrange a date and time.
Teleclass: Get Control of your Money. Discover key tips to help you to manage your money more wisely. Avoid things getting out of control and start saving for the things you really want out of life. Join this one-hour call on Tuesday 15th April at 12.45pm.
Teleclass: Get Control of your Time - Say No. A specific teleclass on one of the more common challenges facing most people today. Find out how to get back in control of your time by learning how to say no. Join this one-hour call on Tuesday 22nd April at 12.45pm.
Mums In Biz - Business start up seminars focusing directly on issues affecting busy mums. Providing answers, fun and inspiration with the ultimate aim of helping them establish a business in tandem with motherhood! The next one is on Tuesday 6th May and I'm one of the guest speakers.
If you were forwarded this issue of the newsletter you can register to receive your own copy each month by sending a blank email to claresnews@aweber.com. If you'd rather not receive my monthly newsletter, just click the link at the bottom of this email.
Until next month, don't get too distracted.
Clare
Clare Evans - Personal and Business Time Management Coach
Phone: +44 (0)1273 588297
Email: info@clareevans.co.uk
Website: www.clareevans.co.uk
Get organised! Get a new perspective!
Copyright: Clare Evans Personal & Business Coaching © 2008
----------
Create your own automated newsletters with Aweber. E-mail follow up, ad tracking, & real-time stats for your emails. http://www.aweber.com/features.htm?207782
----------