According to Jonathan B. Spira, CEO of Basex, in Rolando Pujol’s “Digging out from digital distractions” in the October 9-11, 2009 edition of amNewYork:

It takes five minutes to recover from a 30-second interruption.

Oh snap!

Here’s how you can avoid interruptions to begin with:

• Refuse eye contact
• Hide in a conference room
• Post sign [sic] at your desk
• Occasionally work from home
• Work in office when it’s empty

I’ve actually employed all of these strategies and while they do boost my productivity, they also boost the office perception that I’m anti-social and not a “team player”.  So, think twice before declaring “Office Hours” and putting up yellow crime scene tape in front of your cubicle :)

Click here for more information about information overload.

Any other tips for how to stay focused in the face of information overload?  Share your advice in the DinnerGrrls.org “Productivity & Organization Tips” forum.