@Balletmom - I work in a research lab too. There are WEEKS that I slave away, working on a particular reaction or trying to synthesize a particular target compound, and nothing works. It’s frustrating and maddening, but it’s not personal and it’s certainly no reflection on my work ethic.
I’ve been doing this type of work for a long time, and I’ve come to realize that negative results are often as important as positive ones. It just doesn’t feel that way! Perspective is the key: everyone’s always so effusive when things go well, but no one ever slaps me on the back and says “way to go, scout - two weeks without any visible progress.”
I feel like I one of ‘these’ people some days and would like to hear how others organize your days. How often do you go through email? Reply right away or make a list for call backs? How to deal with interruptions when working on a project? How to start a project when you know interruptions are coming your way? And the time wasted in meetings? When people want to share pictures of their vacations, babies etc
On those days when I need to finish a project, report, etc, I only open my email first thing and after lunch. Otherwise I don’t have the program even running. And I will only answer the most pressing emails at the beginning or end of that day, flagging semi-important ones to follow up on the next day. I also check voicemail first thing and then at the end of the day, but otherwise don’t answer the phone unless I can identify who is calling. (Generally there is only one “client” that I will clear my day for - the others can usually wait.)
I also set my IM status to do not disturb. Since I live on a cube farm, I do have people stopping by. A quick, semi-curt “hi, what do you need” sends the message that they’d better be asking something important. For the really clueless (we all have those - mine is a manager from another section that spends their day wandering the cube farm striking up conversations) I am even more direct - “I’m really busy now, can I find you later (today, tomorrow) to discuss your issue?” If that particular manager doesn’t get it the first time then I usually just repeat as necessary (while wishing I had access to a clue-by-four.)
Our meetings are usually scheduled regularly so I can’t suggest anything there. YMMV on the above depending on the expectations or culture of your particular workplace. I personally view emails and phone calls as distractions to minimize most days, as my job requires me to review and approve plans or write reports or do research. There is generally nothing earth shattering about any email or phone call that would come in so I figure my accessibility for those should vary on my schedule and my needs for the day. My boss’ office is mere feet away so if anything is truly pressing I’m available to her. My most important client can always get ahold of me if needed (I violate my “never give your cell number out” rule for them.)
I also keep my phone ringer off. It’s between my computer and my flat workspace so I can see it ring when I’m working. I also don’t keep an extra chair in my cube, so visitors can’t get comfy.
Thanks missbwithboys.
I started some new responsibilities a year ago and they don’t play to my strengths, so I am frustrated by always feeling like I am not doing a good job. Interruptions will happen because staff need directions to keep moving, but it is hard for me to pull some of the answers out of my head on the spot and then to refocus on what I was doing. There is also not a clear delineation of duties in the office.
You should be even more direct: Do not raise your head. Just raise your hand with your palm (or even middle finger?) toward the person without uttering a word. This will send a very strong signal to him: “You are not welcome here. Just go away.” He will get it and won’t bother you ever again. /Joke.
I found the following is annoying:
In the cube farm where everybody sits close to each other, someone would often discuss personal business on the phone for 20+ minutes with his family members or friends. (3 such events just this afternoon – even though not 20 minutes each time. The last time seems to be about vacation plan, museum, seeminly unrelated to work. The other two times seem to be about kid. So likely with the spouse.)
(The above two are the behavior of the same person.)
If it is a true emergency or a very short drop of the message, it is acceptable. But for this particular person, he could have such chat multiple times almost everyday. (Expect others to wear headphone all the time?)
I do call my family member occasionally, but it is usually at the end of the day (the majority of coworkers either go home or are winding down for the day) or it is an urgency.
Another behavior could be annoying: When you discuss something with another person, he would receive a text message every 5 minutes. (Occasionally, even every 2 minutes!) And he would read messages (sometimes even reply the message) while either you or he is still talking. (No apologize either before doing this.) This happens more often to the young generation.
There are many times I think cubes are for the birds. Everyone has to listen to my phone calls and I have to listen to those near me. Who ever thought this was a good idea!? I often resort to headphones - even without music - to create my own quiet vacuum.
Which brings me to the other annoying “unproductive” annoying characteristic for cube work - the loud co-worker. I hear your every burst of laughter from your FB feed, your yelling at your H on the phone, your gossip with other co-workers on campus on the phone, your stories of your fellow loud obnoxious family members. There are times that I will take my laptop, a pile of work and go find another spot outside of our office area to work. I guess I"m lucky that I have some alternative buildings to choose from I guess.
One thing I could control better - email hell. I don’t feel like I can review it only once or twice a day. It pops up on my screen when it arrives and depending who it’s from, I try to triage which ones I open quite quickly and which I can wait a couple hours or a day to attend to.