Concentration at work vs interruptions

[Questor]

If you've got a job that depends on focused concentration on a task, how long does it take you to regain your focus after an interruption (as by somebody stopping by to ask a question)? 

[mtbugle]

As a Pharmacist I am continously interupted from checking prescriptions by questions from staff, counseling patients, phones, and anything else that pops up. It is also critical to fully concentrate on each and every prescription that comes through as each one could harm or kill if not correct. Having to do approx. 400 in an 8 hour shift is only slightly more than 1 minute per, and a lot less when take out all the time for other tasks as listed above. Task refocusing has to be immediate or the job will never get done. Multi task, multi focus are the order of the day.
Thanks Don.

[Questor]

That's an interesting insight. Thanks.

In my line of work I tend to become deeply involved in lengthy tasks that require mental stacks of information, and analyses of information that may or may not be connected. An interruption can often take 15 minutes to recover from.

[mcwoodduck]

Not long.
In my job I jump from project to project as needed with the phone ringing.
I just keep what I am doing in order and as a prolem comes up I deal with it and get back to what I was doing.
Like Right now I am trying to type this and I have a guy on the phone wanting a boiler quote and onother on the phone wanting parts and help to fix the boiler he has.
I stop this take the information on what boiler he needs and call the guy back that needs the parts, help him out troubleshooting the boiler and get the list of parts he needs with prices and fax it off and get back to the boiler quote and e-mail it off and now I am finishing this to you all in about 35 min.

[Dixie Dude]

Same as Questor. 

[Cabin4]

I work in an active operational environment. Interruptions are fairly common but not over whelming. So I don't find the ability to refocus back an issue at all.

[hunt-m-up]

You guys are my biggest interruption ...Oops there's the phone. I'm in sales and marketing so interruptions are commonplace and I'm usually running multiple deals at once. Notes are critical to get back on track.

[Graybeard]

WORK?   Haven't I told you about them four letter workds Rudy.   I gave that foolishness up years ago in fact as of today it was exactly 14 years ago to the day.

But like MtBugle back when I did multi tasking and multiple projects were the norm. The phone was ringing constantly tho I did have a secretary to monitor that so only those I really needed to take were routed to me. I had three subordinate supervisors under me and lots of employees any one of whom might want my attention at any given moment not to mention my boss.

Each of my many employees also had multiple projects going at any given time and it was my job to make sure all were done timely and properly in addition to the tasks I had going personally. There was no luxury of taking 15 minutes or even five to get back on track and shifting completely from one project to another for any reason only to have to get back to the other as soon as I could was common place. There was seldom a day without multiple meetings as well to serve as interupptions.

Thanks for reminding me how much I miss all that. NONE AT ALL that's how much.

[jimster]

Lot's of interruptions at work, people asking questons, phone ringing, emails with people wanting things, meetings,  and the whole time trying to figure something out on the puter. 

But none of it bothers me in the least.  If I forget where I was I'll be there again at some point and I don't get upset over anything at all, it's actually humorous to me now.  After 31 years I'm kind of semi retired. (in my own head that is)  That means I don't worry about a thing anymore, although I'm still there.  A great feeling.  People get paid more than me to worry about things.  I just do my best and laugh about it. 

If I forget where I was it will come back to haunt me at some point down the road, I'll get back to it then. 

[Dixie Dude]

I don't like interruptions.  Like Questor said, when you do projects that consume lots of time, especially in engineering, you don't need interruptions.  There used to be three of us in my district engineering.  Now, I am the only one left.  One retired, one got promoted out, leaves me.  I have to send my designs to Montgomery office for the draftsmen to draw up the plans now.  Young guys, don't know a stopper fitting from a stopcock or a valve from a vent cap. 

[AtlLaw]

I get interrupted ALL the time!     And they always start with the word "OBJECTION!"   

[Questor]

Dixie Dude:

That must yield some very interesting componentry.

[Dixie Dude]

I design large natural gas meter and regulation stations, some above ground, some below.  I also design distribution systems into new areas, subdivisions, etc.  I enjoy seeing what I design being welded up and put into service.  I also have to figure the cost, bid out the work to contractors.  I have to also think about who maintains the equipment, and design it easy to service.  I talk to the distribution mechanics when I design something to make it easier for them, but sometimes I have to go with something less expensive to satisfy the bean counters.

[puma4440]

It's nice working 3rd shift when you're the only one for miles.

The only interuptions I get are the state police stopping for a soda or cup of coffee. Last summer we had an issue with drug users at the boat launch, but a few stake outs with the police and game enforcement agencies cleared that up.

[The Hermit]

I was interrupted from my nap back at the little cabin this afternoon by a bunch of blue jays. Turns out, they were objecting to a pair of coyotes walking along the trail. Didn't take me long or very much concentration, to get back to sleep. Such is life.    Sorry fellas, couldn't resist.



     The Hermit

[gypsyman]

My problem is, working at home, there are lots of times, work around the house, interupts my business work. I might be in the shop doing some welding, when I take a break, I might end up out in the garden. Or, like today, just when I'm into a project, one of my retired next door neighbors will walk over, and just want to chat. They don't seem to understand that I'm really working, not just doing something to while away the time. I have trained myself, once the interuption is over, to get back to work. gypsyman

[DalesCarpentry]

My only problem at work is when we get to the roof of a monster house. These houses have crazy roofs and at different pitches. I have to figure how to blend everything so it all comes together. At all times I am trying to figure a ridge board height for this section of roof and then another ridge board height for another section intersecting with it. Then there is always how high to build the walls to suport the rafters that will be sitting on them. The math can get real complicated and when I am in the middle of it I hate when someone comes up and asks where do you want me to put the OSB for the roof. Or just some other stupid question. This breaks my train of thought and at that point I have to go back through everything I just figured. This can add up to a lot of time. I just can't be disturbed when I am into the heavy thinking things or it will put me back almost to the starting point. Dale

[slim rem 7]

questor..i know of what you speak...some jobs don t require exstreme concentration ...
 if i was doing one that did.. i wouldn t allow any help or family or nothing  around..
   i use to tell my wife ...right now i can t be a good daddy ,husband or nothing.. no questions, no interruptions...right now its taking everything i got to get what ever it was,, done right..
 i ll take the kids an you for ice cream later..right now yall leave me to my self  please..
   on the same line of thinking its my opinion if you are watching some two yr olds..
 you don t do nothing but watch that two yr. old...some kids require 100%of your attention...
     others a good movie,,an they ll let you know when its over..