how to make people go AWAY

[dettu]

I just got back from a short holiday, and a labor-intensive project with a deadline of March 31 landed on me. It's important. It requires concentration and phone calls/emails to other people who must get data to me. I HAVE to finish it.

People cannot seem to see that I am really, really busy today. They are all so nice and friendly, and they want to talk about things like how much coffee is left in the kitchen, the charity project our team will work on later this summer, etc. Or they have small, miscellaneous requests. Normally I don't mind stopping whatever I'm working on to take notes on their requests and then (when they're gone) neatly fit those into my to-do list; today I'm really wishing I could just climb into the soundproof booth and stay there until the work is finished, because ALL of this stuff could wait. If they would just email their miscellaneous to me, I could deal with it when my project is finished...

I'm wearing headphones and not making eye contact until they stand directly in front of my counter, but. I can't be rude. I can't just ignore them.

Bleah.

[gee4]

You can send one email to all those who need to know that you are up to your wotsits and will be able to see daylight again after 31st - simple!  If it's the girls in the office, arrange lunch for a day when you have time to meet with them etc etc.

G

[msmarieh]

I had a tip previously to put a red flag up on your desk. Send an email out to tell people that when the red flag is on your desk it indicates you are under pressure to meet a deadline.

Alternatively, I have put messages on the dry erase board by my head saying, please do not disturb me this morning unless emergency - under deadline! I just point to it when people come up.



Marie

[ecogirl]

When my mother's department moved to an open plan office, they were all given red cubes to put on top of their computer when they didn't want to be disturbed.  However, if you do something like that you have got to make sure everyone knows.  I had a boss who threw his tie over his shoulder when he didn't want to be disturbed but he never told me, even after I did disturb him.  It was months, perhaps even a year until he mentioned it.

caroleanne

[mishka]

I have to admit that I've perfected the "Dead Stare".  I won't ignore people, but I'll look up at them, raise my eyebrows slightly and wait for them to finish whatever they're saying, give a one word answer (normally "no) and then go back to my work.

If they carry on talking (and most get the hint after one "Dead Stare") then I simple tell them I've got work to do and I'll discuss whatever it is with them later.

It's not rude, but it really does give the impression that you don't want to be bothered by anyone.  At the end of the day, no-one's going to listen to excuses when you miss a deadline.

xx