In my recent post on the Absent Presence, Stephanie commented that she would like to have some techniques for coping with the interruption of having someone in your office or trying to terminate a telephone call so that you would not have to constantly diffuse your focus and cope with more than one thing at a time.

There are some scripts that would work in dealing with interruptions for both of these. For example:

What can I help you with? (Getting to the point)

Give me the short version.

My schedule is overflowing. Please try me later.

I’m on a deadline. Can we meet at 4 p.m. Thursday?

I was just on my way out…If they are physically present, you can add, “Walk down the hall with me.” It is faster than letting them go on at length.

Many companies pride themselves on having an open door policy. In my time management training seminars, I have people tell me that it is their corporate culture to always be available. However I think it is also a corporate culture to be productive during the day. Sometimes that means not being accessible for a period of time.

I advocate blocking off an hour to an hour-and-a-half per day on your schedule whenever possible. This is when you close your door, turn off email, let most phone calls drop into voicemail, and focus on your toughest projects. If you do this, the other interruptions will not wreak as much havoc with your productivity for the day.

What has worked for you? Itzy, in a reply to Stephanie, suggested that she stand up. Invariably the other person will also stand, shortening the conversation.