Is Your Workplace Keeping You From Getting Work Done

Is Your Workplace Keeping You From Getting Work Done Is Your Workplace Keeping You From Getting Work Done? Is Your Workplace Keeping You From Getting Work Done So there's this brilliant video over at bigthink.com of an interview with web entrepreneur Jason Fried about Why You Can't Work at Work. I say it's brilliant because he shines light on workplace issues that no one ever really talks about. Here are his key points: You go to work to get interrupted. With nonstop meetings and people wanting instant attention, today's modern workplace is all about interruptions instead of productivity. And the other thing about interruptions and calling peoples names, and ringing them on the phone and stuff: Its actually really an arrogant sort of move because youre saying that whatever I have to ask you is more important than what youre doing. Because Im going to stop you from doing what you are doing for me to ask you this question that probably doesnt matter anyway....And unless its a true emergency, where you really need an answer right now, then you just let them be and theyll get back to you in three hours. You end up working longer hours and doing most of your real work after work or on weekends. It's not that you have that much work to do, but all of the interruptions during your normal workday prevent you from doing it. Longer periods of uninterrupted time increases productivity. So, if Im busy...I dont have to check email, I dont have to check IM. I can put those things aside and do my work. And then when Im done with my work and I need a break, I can go check these things out....But if someones calling my name, or tapping on my shoulder, or knocking on my door, I cant ignore those things. I can quit a program, but I cant quit someone knocking on my door. This can be perceived as an exaggerated point of view, and it might not apply to your own workplace (and if it does, you probably can't do much to change it). But there's a lot more to his argument, including quite a bit of humor, so I urge you to watch the video if you have the time.