Everything You Need to Know About Handling Interruptions

You start the day with a plan, ready to tackle your work, and then it happens—a phone call, an email ping, or a colleague with a “quick question.” Before you know it, you’ve lost focus, and it takes forever to get back on track.

On average, professionals lose two hours every day to interruptions and the time it takes to refocus. That’s 10 hours a week—an entire workday gone. Imagine how much more you could accomplish with that time back.

I once tracked my own interruptions, thinking they weren’t that bad. In just one morning, I counted over 20 distractions—most of them self-inflicted, like checking email or letting my mind wander. That experience showed me how much control we actually have over interruptions.

The Four Types of Interruptions

Interruptions come in different forms, but they all pull your focus and slow you down. Here’s what you need to watch for:

• External Interruptions – Emails, phone calls, colleagues stopping by, or unexpected requests.
• Self-Induced Interruptions – Checking your phone, browsing social media, or avoiding a difficult task.
• Task Switching – Jumping between tasks without finishing the first one, forcing your brain to constantly adjust.
• Environmental Distractions – Background noise, clutter, or anything that makes it harder to concentrate.

These interruptions don’t just waste time—they create frustration, overwhelm, and stress. By the end of the day, you feel drained, wondering where all your time went.

The Hidden Costs of Interruptions

Interruptions aren’t just annoying—they cost you more than you realize:

• Lost Productivity – It takes up to 23 minutes to fully refocus after an interruption. Multiply that by several distractions a day, and it adds up fast.
• Mental Fatigue – Constantly switching between tasks drains your energy, making it harder to think clearly by the afternoon.
• Lower Work Quality – When your focus is broken, mistakes happen, and details get overlooked.
• Decision Fatigue – Every interruption forces you to decide: "Do I stop what I’m doing?" These micro-decisions wear you out.
• Staying Stuck in Reactive Mode – Instead of working on important tasks, you’re constantly responding to emails, messages, and other people’s priorities.

Interruptions create the illusion of productivity—you’re busy, but you’re not making progress on the things that truly matter.

The Brain Science Behind Interruptions

Your brain is wired to react to anything new, which helped our ancestors survive. But today, that same instinct treats an email notification like an emergency. That’s why you feel the urge to check your phone or respond immediately.

The good news is that you can train your brain to resist interruptions:

• Turn off notifications during focus time—your brain will learn that not everything is urgent.
• Batch similar tasks together, like checking emails at set times instead of throughout the day.
• Create a distraction-free workspace—clear clutter, use noise-canceling headphones, or set ‘do not disturb’ signals.

The Power of Boundaries

Boundaries are like invisible fences that protect your time and focus. Without them, interruptions take over.

• Set expectations – Let people know when you’re available and when you’re in focus mode.
• Be clear about priorities – Not everything requires an immediate response.
• Stick to your boundaries – If a colleague asks for "just five minutes," ask if it can wait until your scheduled open time.

At first, setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable. Many of my coaching clients struggle with feeling guilty for saying no. But here’s the truth: You’re not saying no to people—you’re saying yes to your most important work.

The bottom line is that interruptions are part of life, but they don’t have to control your day. By understanding how your brain reacts, setting clear boundaries, and managing your mind, you can reclaim your time, reduce stress, and finally focus on what matters most.

If you worked hard to become an accountant, but find it challenging to be one, schedule a free 30-minute call with me at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar/.? I’ll help you see how to become a Smarter Accountant.

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If you want to learn more about everything you need to know about handling interruptions, check out this episode of The Smarter Accountant Podcast ?? https://thesmarteraccountant.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-handling-interruptions/

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