Think about the last time someone said, “Got a minute?” or maybe “Would you help me with something?” Without thinking, you probably said – “Sure” and ended up spending a lot more than one minute dealing with whatever it was. If this happens a couple of times a day five or six days a week, we’re talking serious time and energy. It’s distractions like these that add up and sap your energy and focus.
Now, it’s human nature to want to help when someone asks, and people don’t generally ask for 20 minutes. They ask for a minute. That’s what can get us all in trouble. “But I don’t want to be rude,” you might say. “If I don’t help others, nobody will help me.” I understand your concern.
So here’s my secret weapon. Don’t say “No.” Say, “I’m sorry. I have another commitment.” When you say, “I’m sorry. I have another commitment,” pretty much everybody will say, “Oh. Okay.” I’ve been doing this for years – NOBODY ever asks, “What’s the other commitment?” I do this to get out of got-a-minute requests, excuse myself from meetings, leave early from unproductive meetings, end conversations that go off-track, and get away from people with surveys and questionnaires. Pretty cool, huh? This works on co-workers, family members, relatives, neighbors, and strangers.
Oh sure, your boss might ask what the other commitment is. But other than that, no one else will. As I’ve said, I’ve been using this for years. Just don’t try to use it on me.This one strategy, by itself, will save you hours over the course of a year. Get comfortable responding this way when someone says, “Got a minute?” and you’ll save yourself lots of time and energy.