When productivity is depending on others?

[Camilla]

I just had the most frustrating day in terms of planning - and it just keeps giving.

I had a list of (apparently busy people) to call for a brief interview on their experiences with implementation of in store tv. The task itself shouldn't be very time consuming, BUT since I had to call each of them several times to get through, and keep track of who would return my call when, or when this or that person would be available again, I feel like I spent the entire day more or less WAITING and making very little progress (more people to call tomorrow).

Does anyone has any tips on how to stay on top of things in situations, where your next step is depending on other people, and you have absolutely no idea, if it is going to happen in a minute or in a day?

Best wishes, Camilla

[sadavis00]

I work in a lab, so almost everything depends on the work done by others. All I can suggest is to try to multitask, not fixate on when the other person is going to respond, try to finish up your other work. Simple, but it can be hard sometimes to stop thinking of an unfinished task and start another.

[Dharma]

Does anyone has any tips on how to stay on top of things in situations, where your next step is depending on other people, and you have absolutely no idea, if it is going to happen in a minute or in a day?

Practice staying in the moment and not drifing into the future ("will it get done? when will it get done?", etc.)
You focus is very important to how your reality plays out. If you're constantly focused on worry and lack ("its not done"), you're not going to give much space for the project moving with ease.

In the moment, check where your focus is. Are these other people seen as supporting you or being a pain in the ass to you? If it's the latter, you won't discover much ease and flow in the process.

Do what you can to keep things on track -- a phone call, an email. And stop periodically and see where your focus is. If you're stressed, turn your focus to ease and flow. Your mind isn't going to know what to do with that last line.... just tell yourself that's what you desire to focus on.

Eckart Tolle's books and Cds are good for learning to stay in the moment. If you're a busy person I recommend getting the books on tape and listen in the car.