How do I manage my to-do list when there are too many distractions in the office?

Oh joy! You're back in the office, ordering coffee and lunch with colleagues, and wearing a nice outfit from top to bottom (including those great shoes you haven't seen since Spring 2020). It's exciting to see people in 3D. AND you realize that all these impromptu conversations mean completing your to-do list is like swimming against the current. "Why can't I get anything done?!"?

Manage it by resetting expectations, being intentional, and finding your nook.?

Reset your expectations: in-office days are NEVER as productive for long to-do lists as days alone at home. Be realistic about your expectations for yourself for remote days versus in-office days. For example: never plan an in-office day on a day that you’ve got a lot of calls or deadlines. That's for uninterrupted time where you can focus and go from one call to the next OR unapologetically ignore everything except deadlines.?

Be Intentional: Plan in-office days a week or two in advance with a few colleagues for social time, building relationships, brainstorming and planning. To set yourself up for success, make sure to stack calls on other days so you can take full advantage of the benefits of being in-office with colleagues.?

Find a nook: If the unexpected happens when you're in-office and need to get something out in an hour, find a nook, a chair, a corner, a storage closet, anywhere you can pop in your headphones (the universal sign for do-not-disturb), and crank it out.?

Reset expectations, be intentional, and find your nook