One interruption from an unexpected visitor could take a few hours or more out of your day. Let us assume that on average you are unjustifiably interrupted for sixty minutes every day, for one year. At the end of that year, you would have lost over fifteen days to interruptions. Can you afford to lose fifteen days each year in inconvenient interruptions? If your answer is no, then you must develop a strategy to deal with interruptions.

There are internal interruptions such as pain, acute stress, sickness, complacency, procrastination and many more. Some of which we have no control over and as such we must accept them. There are also external interruptions which fall into one of the following three areas:

Justified Interruptions
Unjustified Interruptions
Untimely Interruptions

This type of interruption can be far more important than the task you are working on at the time. It can bring many good benefits. Imagine that you are sitting down meditating on your money problems for the last two hours. You are trying to come up with an idea that would free you from your situation. All of a sudden, in bursts your older brother and interrupts your thought. What type of interruption is this? We cannot say for certain because your brother has not given a reason for this interruption. Let us hear what he has to say. "Samantha," shouts the older brother, "have I got news for you, we have just won £6,000,000 on the lottery." Now what type of interruption is this. Yes, a justified interruption.

In most cases you cannot identify what kind of interruption you will be faced with, or how to deal with it, until you know the reason for the interruption. A unique way of discovering what type of interruption it is, is to ask the person directly, "How can I help you?"

One of the most frustrating experiences has got to be when you are working on your A1 priority and in full flight, gliding along smoothly with your thoughts working like they were created to. You feel powerful, excited and in control, then in bursts your younger brother, a friend or an employee to say, "Sorry to interrupt you, but did you see that match last night...?" Don't you just want to explode? There are a multitude of unjustified interruptions which are usually justified to the other person but not to you. They are a nuisance and a waste of your precious time.

In this area the interruption is justified but the only problem is that the interruption came at the wrong time. If the interruption is untimely, make an appointment in order that it will receive your full attention.

When you are interrupted, your first task is to identify which of the three categories the interruption falls into. Is it justified, unjustified or untimely? Armed with the right information, you are now able to make the right decision.

Justified Interruption - deal with it immediately.
Unjustified Interruption - eliminate it immediately.
Untimely Interruption - set appointment immediately.

One of the most effective ways to control interruption is to set daily tasks that are in line with your values and visions. Put them in order of priority and begin with your most pressing task - your A1. While you are working on your A1 task, let everyone know that you are not to be interrupted. If necessary, put up a big sign on your door.

Find a quiet place, use the library, work from home, or get someone to screen your calls.

Because interruptions are a way of life, you must be wise in your planning and make allowances for them. If a report is to take three hours to write give yourself four hours. If your journey is to take one hour, give yourself two hours.

Be aware of the environment in which you work or live, it could be a major cause of interruptions. I worked in an open plan office with eight of the most loving employees in the world. I was distracted by everyone's telephone calls, conversations and other general office duties. The interruptions in this office were magnified by at least eight times. Most open plan offices are designed to save money and improve communication. While money is being saved in some areas, they may be lost in interruptions.

Make a complete list of the people, situations or things that interrupt you throughout the course of a week. Once you have found out, take immediate action. It is extremely difficult to defeat your enemies, if you do not know who or what they are. Unjustified interruption is one of your worst enemies.