SuccessTips

Why DO You Tolerate So Many Interruptions?

When I survey attorneys at CLE and in-house seminars on time management about their top 25 productivity blockers, interruptions almost always comes in at the top of the list.

The main categories of interruption are well known and typically include: email and text alerts, phone calls, and drop-in visitors or hallway intercepts.

prod - interruption -uctivityThe rationales (i.e., the excuses) for tolerating interruptions are also well known:

  • I have to be accessible to clients
  • I don’t want to be rude
  • I can’t say No to more senior attorneys
  • I can’t risk missing an important communication from someone

What’s less well known – at least less acknowledged – are the psychological and emotional drivers that keep us tolerating constant time, attention, and revenue robbers (a.k.a. interruptions).

  • Fear: I’ll get fired by a client or my boss; I’ll miss out on a significant opportunity
  • Ego: I like feeling knowledgeable and important (and maybe even saving the day)
  • Immediate Gratification: the interruption is exciting, interesting, or lets me procrastinate
  • Angst: I’m lost if I’m untethered from both my desktop and my mobile device

The truth is, we usually get something out of our persistent behaviors even if they’re counter-productive – otherwise we’d change those behaviors.  So as much as you may complain about interruptions and their negative impact on your practice and your stress level, the question is: Why DO you continue to allow so many of them?

Think back to a recent interruption you allowed but wish you hadn’t (you probably only have to go back to earlier today or yesterday) and see if any of the above drivers ring true.

Then, try coaching yourself around the question of what you could have done differently.  Imagine that a friend were describing the situation to you and asking for your help figuring out how he or she could have prevented or minimized the interruption – while also ameliorating the fear associated with doing so.

You might counsel your friend that it’s OK to close her door for an hour or to put the phone on DND (or inform her assistant to hold all calls for a designated block of time).   Or you might reassure your friend that as long as he gets back to that VIP client within three hours, no harm will be done to the relationship.  You see, you have more wisdom about the issue than you give yourself credit for; it’s just easier to access when you step out of your own shoes (and scripts).

Successfully reducing interruptions involves communicating proactively with your top interrupters, re-framing expectations, planning your day effectively, and a handful of other non-rocket-science level skills.

But it starts with awareness and honesty and is built on the courage to face the truth that if YOU don’t put boundaries on the interruptions you allow, no one else will on your behalf.

 

About the Author

Bill Jawitz, Law Firm Coach and Consultant

Bill Jawitz has been coaching lawyers to become more profitable and enjoy a higher quality of life since 2002.

He can be reached at bill@sucesstrackesq.com or at 203.806.1300.

I maintain a deep library of hundreds of best-of-breed checklists, templates, guides, and white papers on every aspect of managing a legal practice and law firm, from lawyer marketing plans, to hiring process checklists, to alternative fee engagement letters.

If you need a quick resource, call me. I’ll send you what I have on the topic free of charge with no strings.

Call for a free consultation (203) 806-1300

Want to learn more?

Have a question? Looking for a Just-In-Time Resource?

Contact Bill Now