A lot of time management literature describes interruptions as 'time-wasters' or 'time stealers' and differentiates those who eliminate interruptions 'time masters' and those who tolerate or fail to eliminate them, 'time killers' or 'time sinks'. These are nothing more than self-serving labels that grossly distort the real world.

Interruptions are part and parcel of the fabric of business life and those who eliminate them may be less 'time masters' than unobtainable loners and those who tolerate interruptions may be less 'time killers' than available altruists. People cannot be branded in such black and white terms. No-one can control everything nor everybody. What you do with your time depends on your (a unique individual), your environment (a unique situation), and what you are trying to accomplish (a unique objective). One must accept the non-controllable and control the controllable.

Time management problems are frequently the result of getting into 'activity traps'. One activity follows another, one call on your time becomes an endless series of calls on your time. When this happens you end up losing sight of the purpose behind each activity and the difference between urgent and important becomes blurred.

How you differentiate the non-controllable from the controllable is down to you. Interruptions that are uncontrollable - helping out colleagues, answering Emails, answering your mobile with your friend rings for example are interruptions that you should be handled but can conflict with what you intend to do. But remember you can say 'No' and you can ask them to call you back or meet at a more convenient time.