{"id":15731,"date":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-10-04T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/email-im-and-chat-oh-my-4-tips-for-avoiding-distractions-at-work-2\/"},"modified":"2022-04-08T10:27:49","modified_gmt":"2022-04-08T15:27:49","slug":"email-im-and-chat-oh-my-4-tips-for-avoiding-distractions-at-work-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/email-im-and-chat-oh-my-4-tips-for-avoiding-distractions-at-work-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Email, IM and chat \u2013 Oh my! 4 tips for avoiding distractions at work"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Heads up Dorothy \u2013 and your little dog, too. In today\u2019s business environment, instead of worrying about lions, tigers and bears (oh my!), employees are endlessly under siege by a trio of distractions at work that are stealing focus, robbing energy, and paving the way for chronic under-performance: email, IM and chat.<\/p>\n

\"PlanviewNow, this isn\u2019t to say that employees should permanently swap their iPhones for yoga mats, and vote themselves off the technology island. When they\u2019re used correctly, email, IM and chat can be wonderful tools.<\/p>\n

However, there are times when we don\u2019t use technology \u2013 it uses us<\/em>. And this leads to distractions at work that, as noted, can derail individuals, teams and even organizations as a whole: yes, everyone is frenetically exchanging information; but no, not everyone is interacting, communication and collaborating.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, even for those who pine for a relatively simpler time when messages weren\u2019t designated as instant or otherwise, we all know that there\u2019s no going back. Anyone who decides to head off the grid might as well keep going (though first creating an automated out-of-office reply would be appreciated).<\/p>\n

And so, since the only way we can head is forward \u2013 and the only scenario we can accept is to co-exist with emails, IMs and chat \u2013 below are four practical tips for avoiding distractions at work:<\/p>\n

1. Schedule the Unscheduled<\/span><\/h5>\n

Instead of incessantly checking emails, IMs and chat requests (which of course you\u2019re only doing because they\u2019re just as incessantly demanding your attention), schedule a chunk of time to read and respond \u2013 such as the last 10 minutes of each hour. This will be tough to do at first, but once you get into a rhythm you\u2019ll be amazed at the benefits to everything from your productivity, to your peace of mind.<\/p>\n

2. Step Away Slowly from the Device and Nobody Gets Hurt<\/span><\/h5>\n

Fed up with being an extension of technology? Regain control by either turning off or leaving behind devices when you\u2019re heading into meetings, getting on a call, going off to lunch, or heading into the restroom (no, you\u2019re not the only one who does this). You\u2019ll dial down distractions at work and concentrate better on *cough<\/em>* \u201cthe matter at hand.\u201d And don\u2019t worry: your devices will still be there when you get back.<\/p>\n

3. Filters are your Friend<\/span><\/h5>\n

Configure filters to automatically route incoming communication into folders, so you can target stuff that needs a quick response (e.g. pokes and pings from your boss or customers), and stuff that\u2019s important but can wait a little while. Just ensure that you stay on top of your filters and re-configure them as necessary. Otherwise you\u2019ll need filters for your filters, which is a whole new level of distractions at work that may require an A&E-style intervention.<\/p>\n

4. Take it Online<\/span><\/h5>\n

Last but not least: request, persuade and\/or plead with the Powers that Be<\/em> to implement a collaborative work management<\/a> solution, like Planview AdaptiveWork because it:<\/p>\n