Do you often feel that you are constantly working with interruptions? Do you feel like you're always under the gun at work? Not getting enough done during the day? It might not be your fault.
What's behind this lack of productivity? Some of it can be blamed on inefficient time management and/or poor communication-as well as too many meetings. You may not have any control over these factors, but there are steps you can take to limit distractions so that no one and nothing can interrupt you when you are trying to work.
If you have a door, shut it. Not everyone has an office with a door. In fact, many managers who work in small practices don't have offices. But if you're lucky enough to have one, close it when you're trying to put your nose to the grindstone. If you don't want to be rude, post a DO NOT DISTURB sign informing your staff that you're on a deadline or an important call.
Budget your time (even your free time). Have you ever wondered where the day went when you're leaving the office? If you make a careful schedule that accounts for your time and tasks-including free time, meetings, calls, and quiet work time-you'll be more likely to accomplish what you need to each day. Then you will always know exactly where the day went and what went into it. Over the years of managing, I have found that keeping a monthly to-do list is a huge help in ensuring that projects get completed on time.