Distractions
Distractions are everywhere. The sound your computer makes when an email arrives. The buzz of your PDA when it is set to vibrate. The argument with your spouse you had before coming to work. A big football game you want to watch even though you have a project due. Whatever the distraction, when we are thinking about something else or someone else when we are in front of another person(s) or trying to think critically, we handicap ourselves. We will miss details in a conversation, not realize there is a new deadline, or worse, send a message to someone because of the way we are acting that makes the person feel not valued.
I am coaching an executive who is a big multi-tasker. She is interrupted by her staff a great deal during ...