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Ask HN: How do you cope with being interupted?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you cope with being interupted?

#91

Post by thobiasse »

cliffwarden wrote: post #87

When you do allow yourself to be interrupted (answering a question, or whatever) just fully embrace the interruption. Nothing is worse (on either side) than only half paying attention. It's very obvious to the other party and can feel very rude. For me, being able to handle interruptions and then refocus is something that can be strengthened with practice like many other skills. I used to be very much in the camp of…

Thanks thinking back I can see situations where I was half paying attention to the other.

May I ask how you keep track of your context? Strategies, tools (digital or not) ?

Re: Ask HN: How do you cope with being interupted?

#92

Post by thobiasse »

orzig wrote: post #8

It's very situation-dependent, so here are a few things I've done: 1. In a work situation where I'm relatively senior, I've proactively communicated that I like minimally-interrupting notifications (email>slack>IRL). Even when someone taps me on the shoulder, they're a little sheepish about it, and I can request 30 seconds to jot down a note about where I left off. I also just feel more in control of the situation. 2…

Thanks for the detailed explanation!

> Getting it off your chest is priority #1

seems right to me.

Re: Ask HN: How do you cope with being interupted?

#93

Post by rightbyte »

tomcam wrote: post #13

I'm sincerely sorry if this answer doesn't help and it's not meant to be arch or sarcastic. But I have found that the more I like the work I am doing, the less interruptions bother me. I am fortunate to work from home, but it means many more such incidents than an office job. Obviously I would like to be left alone while working, but I have handicapped and mentally ill people to care for my life is acutely interrupt-…

Maybe you enjoy work that does not require long interruption free thinking and concentration?

Re: Ask HN: How do you cope with being interupted?

#94

Post by rightbyte »

jwr wrote: post #77

I don't cope with being interrupted. In fact, it affects me so much that even if there is a possibility of being interrupted (home, kids, family, etc), I can't focus, because I fear the moment when that house of cards will inevitably fall down in my head. Also interested in advice from others.

Oh so much this. I need to look my home office to not have the lingering 'fear' of some kid or wife opening the door. It is fine yelling through the door, but not opening it ...

Re: Ask HN: How do you cope with being interupted?

#95

Post by scruple »

genezeta wrote: post #34

I think you got two different things mixed there. One is being interrupted , the other is being distracted . Being interrupted is external, while being distracted is internal. So which one is it you're having problems with? Personally, I have come to accept that there will be interruptions. Colleagues asking for help, someone asking a question, some boss calling an unexpected meeting, my mother phoning or whatever. S…

> One thing that sometimes helps me with interruptions is using 5-10 seconds. That is, when someone comes I just ask for 10 seconds, I make a gesture or simply say "10 seconds" or whatever, and then proceed to sort of "unload". I write down the precise point I am at and the exact upcoming action I was going to take.

This is what I do, as well.

Interruptions used to frustrate me to no end. I found it very rude to be interrupted, especially when I was so obviously busy with my very important things.

Now I have 3 children under 3 years of age. Interruptions are the name of this game. And I've come to realize that the work or whatever really isn't that damned important, either.

So, as long as there isn't an emergency, I acknowledge the person/people doing the interrupting and then take notes in a pocket notebook.

Re: Ask HN: How do you cope with being interupted?

#96

Post by jerome-jh »

I tend to write everything in a TODO list. I use the one from Office 365. In the morning, after checking my mail, I select 2-3 items of this list that I target to be done this day. After an interruption, if I lost my saved PC, I check those items and usually I find my thread back.

[edit] Since a year I am in a position where I just have to assume I will be interrupted (not developer). So I just try to cope with it.

Re: Ask HN: How do you cope with being interupted?

#97

Post by pmarreck »

Bad mood sounds like a separate issue. Getting enough sleep? Are your... physical needs being satisfied?

Also, what genezeta said about "interruption" vs. "distracted" is true. Interruptions come from others; distractions come from you.

iOS and macOS (and now Windows I think) have "focus mode" now, where you can silence notifications for some period of time, which I have found helpful.

Re: Ask HN: How do you cope with being interupted?

#98

Post by stef25 »

thobiasse wrote: post #89
stef25 wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same. Those hours between 4:30 - 8:00AM are magic. The rest of the day is lost, even without kids. Errands, messages, meetings ...

Even if I think the same, for you the rest of the day is really "lost" meaning you'd rather work on/do the stuff you were doing between 4:30 - 8 AM all day?

Yes and no ... Being an introvert I need a certain number of hours alone for "projects" :)

I'm responsible for my young kids and my ageing parents need more support as well and those are things I don't want to not do, they just take up time. And unfortunately the relationship with my partner probably doesn't get the attention it deserves either. Luckily she's KO until 8AM anyway.

I do also love being outdoors going for run / hike / mtb ride or spending meaningful time with my kids, weather / seasons permitting. They're still a bit young so I'm looking forward to the future wrt to that.

You?

Re: Ask HN: How do you cope with being interupted?

#100

Post by tomcam »

rightbyte wrote: post #93
tomcam wrote: post #13

I'm sincerely sorry if this answer doesn't help and it's not meant to be arch or sarcastic. But I have found that the more I like the work I am doing, the less interruptions bother me. I am fortunate to work from home, but it means many more such incidents than an office job. Obviously I would like to be left alone while working, but I have handicapped and mentally ill people to care for my life is acutely interrupt-…

Maybe you enjoy work that does not require long interruption free thinking and concentration?

Quite the opposite. I love that kind of work more than any other. I just have to reach for less than ideal times to do it. Taught myself many musical instruments in the wee hours after family and other troubled people were in bed.
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