Ways to Get Off The Phone Quick

Photo Credit: Max Orenstein

It’s happened to all of us.  You are happily working at your desk and then a phone call comes in that completely derails your productivity.  But the truth of the matter is — you let it happen!  I know — I’ve done it too!  However — there are ways around this productivity roadblock.  Meggin McIntosh hosted my List Making Teleseminar and is one of my favorite guest bloggers — she offers some tips on how to get off the phone quick!

List of Ways for Getting – or Staying – Off the Phone

by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D. | The Ph.D. of Productivity™

The phone is a wonderful invention, and it’s supposed to be a tool. Too much time spent on the phone can easily divert you from tasks at hand. This is true at work and at home. To help you stay focused and productive, use one of the ideas from the following list:

1. Keep a phone log for one day. Write down the exact start and stop time for each and every phone call you make – including personal calls. What do you notice?

2. If you spent more than ten minutes during the day on personal calls, learn this phrase: “I’m sorry, but I can no longer take personal calls at work.” You don’t have to explain yourself beyond this statement.

3. Get a good headset so you can walk around while you’re on the phone. You should NOT attempt to multi-task while you’re on a key call, but you could put stamps on the mail, get a new box of tissues out of the supply cabinet, etc.

4. If your conversation should really involve more people, say “We can’t really make any progress until John/Sue/Marge is on board. I’ll send out a quick email that copies all of us.” Then close out the conversation.

5. When you are in the middle of a big task, either have an assistant or secretary pick up your calls or (gasp!) unplug your phone. You’ll be distracted by the ringer or the answering machine if you leave it on.

6. Check your cell phone for messages at designated times of the day – preferably only once or twice. So many people stare at their cell phones as if they’re searching for the Holy Grail.

7. When the caller asks if you have a minute, say “No” or “Not right now” (depending on which is true). Then don’t say anything else. The caller will fill in the “dead” sound with an apology and will quickly hang up.

8. If the caller has been efficient and helpful, say so. “I appreciate your brief call rather than having to track down this information myself. Have a great day!”

9. Instruct your family/children that you are not to be called at work unless it’s an emergency. If they do (and it’s not an emergency), charge them your appropriate rate of pay. It only takes once.

10. When the call should conclude, but you find it going on and on, stand up. Somehow people can read the “vibe” you send that says this conversation is over.

Putting one or two of these into practice is likely to give you back 20 – 30 minutes AT LEAST each day. It’s possible to recapture up to 90 or 120 minutes per day by implementing all of these strategies.

If you have colleagues, subordinates, bosses, friends, and/or family who need this information, please send this along to them. Or print and post this somewhere that you can see it often!

Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D. (also known as “The Ph.D. of Productivity”™). She has MANY lists of tips that you can access (free) at www.TopTenProductivityTips.com and www.KeepingChaosatBay.com.