How to Stay Productive at Work: Dealing with Pop-Byes
By Mike St. Pierre

Introduction
Working effectively at your desk can be a challenge. Gestures that seem small, like chatting with colleagues, having meetings, or entertaining pop-bye visitors, can suddenly become disruptive. In extreme cases, they can even affect your productivity, leading to missed deadlines and incomplete projects. In this article, we will explore some strategies you can use to stay productive while dealing with pop-bye visitors.

Reposition Your Desk
One possible way to discourage unwanted visits is to reposition your desk so that it does not directly face doorways or hallways. While this may seem unfriendly, it can be an effective way to prevent pop-byes. This will also give you more privacy and minimize the temptation to chat with others.

Buy a Large Clock
Another simple way to discourage pop-byes is to have a large, visible clock in your workspace. This will give you the opportunity to subtly remind your visitors, from time to time, that you have work to do. Comments like, “It’s getting late, I better get back to work,” or “Wow – 4:15 already,” will let them know that you are focused.

Look at Your Watch
Checking the time can also be a quick and effective way to communicate to your visitors that your time is valuable. A quick glance at your watch can remind them that you need to focus on work.

Stand and Don’t Sit Down
Standing up when someone enters your workspace is a subtle way to communicate that you’re busy. If you don’t sit down, your visitor will get the message that you’re not there for idle chatter. Instead, you can communicate that you have things to do, and they should get to the point.

Use Savvy Lines Like “I’ll Walk You Out”
You can also use language that subtly indicates that the visit needs to wrap up. Phrases such as “I’ll walk you out” or asking visitors to locate their parking can help you gently nudge them towards the exit. If someone shows no signs of ending the conversation, be ready to take the lead and provide an excuse to wrap things up.

Head Out the Door to a Real Appointment
If you do have a real appointment somewhere else, use it to your advantage. Let your visitor know that you have a pressing matter to attend to, and politely excuse yourself. This is a clear signal that you can’t stay long.

Head Out the Door to an Appointment With Yourself
In case you don’t have any meetings planned, you can always schedule an appointment with yourself. Going to another location can help you escape unwanted visits and distractions while giving you a change of scenery.

Be Honest
Finally, there is no substitute for honesty. If someone drops in for a pop-bye, and you have a pressing deadline, be honest and tell them you don’t have time to chat now. They are more likely to respect your honesty, and you can always schedule a time for a catch-up session in the future when you are more available.

Conclusion
Pop-byes are a common occurrence in many workplaces, and they can be tricky to handle while trying to stay productive at work. However, by using a combination of subtle communication strategies, you can help reduce disruptions and stay focused. With a little creativity, you can avoid interruptions and keep your workflow steady.