DigiThoughts

Avoiding Rhinos & Getting Things Done

February 01, 2012 by Michelle Andrews

It takes an average of 15 minutes to start working at maximum productivity. Interruptions--from coworkers, phone calls and breaks--all reset the productivity clock. Recently, Digitaria’s Chief Technology Officer Chuck Phillips emphasized the significance of interruptions, helped raise awareness of limiting our own interruptions and shared tips on maintaining productivity despite them.

Interruptions are a necessary evil. We’ve all done it and we do so in our own style in an effort to get our own work done. Interrupting styles include:

The Fawn: The fawn does not wish to interrupt you, but feels as though it must. The fawn will timidly make laps around your desk until you make eye contact, which the fawn interprets as an invitation to interrupt.
The Lion: The lion is all about the surprise attack. If you appear to lose focus at any point, the lion will strike, e.g. if you stop typing to stretch your arms -- BAM!
The Rhino: Nothing is of greater importance than the rhino’s interruption. The rhino charges. The rhino is made up of pure and supreme self-confidence which gives it the ability to remain unaware of the fact that the rhino is even interrupting anyone at all.

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