How to Cut Off Your Distractions at Work and Focus on a Project by Brian O'Connell

Multitasking is one thing, and workers who are able to multitask should be the envy of us all. But interruptions in the workplace are quite a different thing, and should never be welcome. Now there's a university study to prove it -- and back up do-not-disturb policy at your office.

"People don't realize how disruptive interruptions can be," says Cyrus Foroughi, co-author of the study Do Interruptions Affect Quality of Work? and a doctoral candidate at George Mason University.

His data show the typical worker is interrupted six times a day on the job. That sounds like a lot, but just how distracting are those interruptions?

"There is value in determining whether interruptions affect the quality of the tasks that many people perform regularly, such as writing essays or reports," Foroughi says.

To find out, Foroughi's staff broke GMU students into two groups on an essay project. One group was left alone and the other was interrupted regularly.

Not too surprisingly, the group that was interrupted showed lower-quality scores and wrote fewer words.

"Interruption can cause a noticeable decrement in the quality of work, so it's important to take steps to reduce the number of external interruptions we encounter daily," Foroughi says. "For example, turn off your cellphone and disable notifications such as email while trying to complete an important task."

In addition, close your door or put a sign on your outside cubicle wall saying "No interruptions, please."

It's also a good idea to call out the cause of the interruption and ask yourself "Is this really a good time for me to be interrupted?"

If the problems persists, give a little, but only a little. Make sure the other party knows you have a five-minute time limit to discuss the problem. Better yet, tell the other party you'll be happy to discuss the issue -- but only after you're done working on your current task.

Also: Let your work phone go to voice mail as well as your personal phone, and close your work email page temporarily as well when you need to focus on a project.

Personal and organizational benefits of work life balance for CEOs By Nehizena O Imade nee Asemota

It is true that work and family are two separate areas of life; however, they are both fractions of what makes up wholesome living. It is therefore important that a balance be struck or else regrets may abound.

Being a CEO does not erase the roles of being a father, a husband, a mother or a wife. So allocating time to each of these aspects of life is crucial to being successful. Clearly articulating how and where your time is spent, will go a long way in putting order in situations that can become overwhelming if not checked.

An excellent way a CEO can organize time is to take each aspect of life and think through what makes for success in these areas. It is important to be realistic in doing this. The different aspects of life should not be overloaded in any way with unethical expectations. It is better to do a little well, than doing much, inappropriately. Improper use of time can lead to burn outs.

As a CEO and a parent, what things are you currently involved in that makes you feel you are a success at parenting? Can these things be improved upon? Perhaps you would also discover that you are far from your expectation of how a good parent should be. Though it may be difficult to admit, but if you desire a happy and stable family life, you do have to come to terms with your inadequacies. So what do you think you can do to start on your way to being a good CEO parent? A sure way of finding out were your flaws lie, is to have a heart to heart talk with your family. They are the ones that really feel the pinch of the problem. It is often said that work should be left at the door step and not brought into the home, but a lots of CEO,s are guilty of doing the exact opposite. They use up family time attending to official matters as if the home is an extension of the office. Obviously phone(s) are a necessary appendage, but can constitute a nuisance in your home. It is obligatory that a check be put on this and all other intrusions alike, for the sake of your family life.

Balancing work and life also means being able to delegate appropriately, this gives you the advantage of developing capable hands in the work place, knowing the capabilities of those you work with and also free you up to be the chief executive that you truly are. Though for an entrepreneur or CEO of a start-up, it is tempting to take on a lot more than what you can normally handle. This is where moderation comes in. Prioritize your time and learn to step back to re-evaluate what is working and what isn’t, this will put a check on wastage of time and resources.

On the other hand, having risen to your present position through hard work, it will be foolhardy to now spend all your time attending to family affairs. Dare it be said that the home takes priority attention; nevertheless to neglect your official duties unduly is a sure way to a crash in your carrier.

Balancing work and family life also means you spend time in quietness; this on its own is a perfect drug for rejuvenation. You have to learn to take time out to be by yourself and think things through, so you can put your life in proper perspective. Take time out, kick off your shoes and put your feet up. Each time you engage in this practice you come back refreshed and ready to take on the world.

By Nehizena O Imade nee Asemota

Another Successful outing of the IWFI MARRIED COUPLES RETREAT July 25th 2014 by Callistus Dike

"To the left, to the left, to the right, to the right, now slide, slide..." and so we carried on with the electric slide dance after a very funny game of volley ball.

It was another successful outing of the IWFI Married Couples Retreat (MCR), which began on the 25th of July and ended on the 27th of July. As usual it took place at Epe Resort and Spa. This venue is so loved by all participants since the inception of the programme. Its closeness to nature, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life, provides a serene atmosphere that aids reflection and promotes peace.

By 6.00pm on the first day, six of the eight couples had arrived and checked in. The retreat had couples who have been married between twenty-two years to eight months. It is worthy of note that there were quite a number of young professionals present in this edition who feel the need to integrate the same successes they have known in their work place into their marriages. One of the men shared that he has done very well in his career, providing solutions and having the ability to push his organization forward without realizing that same approach can be adapted within the family setting to organizing his family.

You know, couples talk without having a conversation. A spouse shared how impressed she was at seeing her husband taking notes during one of the classroom sessions. For her it meant he was keen on the subject which was a surprise to her. When they got to the room for dialogue ( a part of the exercise), they did have a conversation, which was something that rarely happened in their marriage.

In his response, the chairman IWFI Engineer Charles Osezua explained that the MCR is part of a list of programmes organized by the institute to promote better families, better businesses and a better society. It is a proven fact that persons from happy families make better employers and hence a better society.

There is no economic benefit for the institute in this programme. It therefore encourages individuals and organizations to sponsor couples whom they wish to have a better family life that translates to better employees and a better society.

This edition of the MCR had nominees from Akintola Williams, NSIA Insurance and Fidelity Bank. These are companies that got the IWFI recognition award for having best family friendly policies. The award was presented during the annual IWFI Work and Family Conference at the Civic Centre in May 2014 which included a free IWFI MCR voucher for any deserving member of staff of these organizations.

You can call 08160537922 or email info@iwfionline.org to find out the next date.

Article by Callistus