One thing I’ve been thinking about lately is how to start a conversation amongst my readers and clients about how you all do what you do better. We’re working on it. Meanwhile, I’ll share some comments regarding our last Point about taking control of the time-wasting day-to-day stuff I call “the swarm.”
“Great tips!” wrote one reader. Another said: “Great content over the last few points. As you know, I am always fighting the swarm!” We thank all our readers for their comments and encouragement. If you’d like to refer to our last Point, click here: http://bit.ly/L2cBMX.
In a nutshell, I talked about how to make progress in spite of the swarm. I shared the tough truth that, like it or not, you are going to be in the midst of a swarm 80% to 95% of any given workday. There is simply no way around it; the information age could just as easily be called “the interruption age.”
I shared how some of my clients create ways to make progress on their goals by carving out slivers of time to work on important things. Some get up early once a week, others find time for reflection and problem-solving at a coffee shop during off hours. Others just shut the office door once a week for an hour, turn off anything that beeps and concentrate on their important tasks.
Today’s tip is short and sweet: Just say no! Yes, I said “no.” It’s a perfect way to tell the swarm to buzz off. Saying “no” is a great skill to develop, and you can (and should) do so and then use it often.
Believe me, you’ll get plenty of opportunities. My clients tell me that the biggest interruption, by far, in their workdays (no matter what they do) is email. It’s the swarm’s #1 way of keeping you distracted. Stop email from controlling your day by just saying “no.” Minimize it and turn off the alerts. Better yet, close your email program and only reopen it at set times during the day. Try scheduling email breaks at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Checking in at these set times will take up about 90 minutes of your day. Factor that in, but then don’t let email intrude otherwise. The same rules should apply to texts, too.
Other ways to say “no”: Don’t automatically answer your phone. Sometimes it’s OK to let calls go to voicemail. Again, schedule time to return all of your calls at once. Also, next time someone asks you, “Do you have a minute?” know that one minute will quickly turn into 20. Just say, “Not now; let’s get together at the end of the day to discuss that.” Chances are, the person wanting “a minute” of your time will figure out the answer before quitting time. (Trust me when I say you’ll get an email telling you that. And if your email program is up and running, that person still would have managed to interrupt you.)
Practice saying “no” outside the office, too, to further tame the swarm. When your pastor or rabbi calls to ask you to head the upcoming capital campaign for building improvements, consider saying “no” or perhaps giving a softer answer like “not this time.”
And realize that you don’t owe anyone a long, drawn-out explanation of why you can’t do something. No really does just mean no.
Saying “no,” whether verbally or through your actions, takes practice and diligence. Just now, while writing this article, I broke a swarm-avoidance rule and answered my phone even though it interrupted my concentration. And wouldn’t you know? It was a request to head up a new Cub Scout project. I’ve been there and done that. Bet you can guess how I answered.
Corsini’s Point:
Probably the best way to control the swarm is to avoid it altogether. When you say “no” the swarm doesn’t have an opportunity to interfere. The word no doesn’t add to your to-do list. It doesn’t mean extra projects and demands on your time. Can’t say “no”? Then try “not now” or “let me think about that.” Just don’t automatically make yourself available. Saying “yes” feeds the swarm; saying “no” keeps it away. Get in the habit of saying “no” with words and actions. You’ll be glad of it once you see yourself making progress on your goals.
QUOTE
“Learn to say ‘no’ to the good so you can say ‘yes’ to the best.”
—John C. Maxwell