I like to get out of my office and work/write in cafes. Laptop in front of me, the music & voices around me become a lively backdrop for writing and thinking. However, working in a café in a small town is practically inviting conversation–and really, I do come here to work :)

This morning I saw someone in the café who is in one of my workshops. He was barely willing to say hello to me! “It’s your writing time—I don’t want to interrupt!” I appreciated his sensitivity and realized that I hadn’t emphasized the fact that it’s my responsibility to protect my work time (when working in a public place). Besides, maybe I’d like a break and would like to talk! Or perhaps we had a few things to discuss that take priority to what I was currently working on.

It’s my job to be clear on what my priorities and to convey, gracefully, if it isn’t time for me to chit-chat. I can say, “I’m in the middle of a project.” Or if it looks like he has something to discuss, “can I call you later to talk about that?”

What makes this easy is having a phrase or two that you are comfortable saying, for ex. the ones I just mentioned.

And when you see a friend or acquaintance working in a public place, be sensitive to whether they look like they are wanting to converse or continue on their task at hand!