Schedule time for unexpected work?

[Morozov]

In one of the last Coach Connections I've found advice on doing. It said to schedule doing and processing time. That worked for me fine! I also remember that advice told to be ready and have time for work as it shows up. Does it mean to block time for unexpected work or simply to leave unscheduled time in my hectic office day?

[Myriam]

In one of the last Coach Connections I've found advice on doing. It said to schedule doing and processing time. That worked for me fine! I also remember that advice told to be ready and have time for work as it shows up. Does it mean to block time for unexpected work or simply to leave unscheduled time in my hectic office day?

Both can work... the situation could be different form work place to work place. If you notice that unscheduled time is considered as time that can be booked and you see your unscheduled time go up in smoke because people are so happy they can book that meeting now instead of waiting for two or three weeks, then maybe you should consider blocking time for it...

My unexpected work mostly gets done in the evenings and weekends (I'm a self employed consultant) but I do leave unscheduled time, in my case that means unscheduled days. Days in which I work at my office and try to get as much done as possible from predefined work, but I'm not 100% counting on it, the day may be filled with unexpected things also.

Myriam

[Suelin23]

Ideally you should always have some unscheduled time in your day, where you can either work from you lists (defined work) or do work as it shows up.

If you are getting booked out for meetings too much then block out time in your calendar for doing work.

[kelstarrising]

Does it mean to block time for unexpected work or simply to leave unscheduled time in my hectic office day?

Either, but I personally don't block time for this, but more like intuitively hold open space for doing work as it appears and processing time.