I tend to snag on ideas and research them to death. Harry knows very well that a new, bright, shiny interest will become my current obsession in less time than it takes to say, “Jamie, could you take a look at this?” There’s also the fact that I believe I can do anything (until proven wrong), and it’s a rare day that I doubt my ability to find a solution to a problem. Add on that I find any challenge an absolutely irresistible temptation, and voila – a recipe for someone who just doesn’t give up.
So, it went without saying that this morning, I’d be searching for the solution to my problem with privacy. The days I work at home, interruptions break my concentration and cost me valuable time. I have a hard time focusing on what I was doing before someone called or dropped in unexpectedly, and I need the distractions to stop. Either that or I’m going to have to give up working at home and go to the office every day, which isn’t always feasible.
I found an article on the top ten problems of working at home, which I could certainly relate. There weren’t any solutions though, so while I had virtual world sympathy and brotherhood, I wasn’t any further ahead.
There were a few suggestions for setting boundaries and ways to minimize distractions in another article. Common sense stuff, but good ideas.
I did especially like the idea of a little note box outside my door where people could scribble messages and leave them for me. It reminded me of an antiquated version of email, and I love email. The problem with a note box is that if no one dropped by to leave me notes, I’d be horribly disappointed.
In the end, no matter where I searched, the solutions were all the same. Establish an office in your home in a room with a door. Close the door. Hang up a “do not disturb” sign. Post office hours on the door or at your front door. If people come to visit, don’t answer. If people call, don’t answer either. (Unless it’s your mother, who thinks that if you don’t pick up the phone, it’s because you’re lying bleeding on the floor by some freak accident and require emergency care…)
Lastly, say no. Politely, firmly, gently, state that you can’t afford the time right now and offer to reschedule the visit, the interruption, the meeting or the call. No explanations, no apologies, just… no.
