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by omarhaneef 2436 days ago
This is the closest to what I do myself -- I always have pen and paper on my desk -- but the real issue is that I don't take a note when interrupted because of social pressures (its rude to ignore someone for a few seconds). I don't even do it for myself for self interruptions because I forget to.
3 comments

That problem is solved through humility and social graces.

"Hold on a sec, I just wanna write down what I was doing so I don't lose my place."

If you want to add more, after writing it down, you can follow up with, "sorry to keep you waiting, but when I get interrupted I often forget some useful details about what I was working on, and I want to get that down before it leaves my head".

(The "when I get interrupted" is a bit of a cheeky way to point out "you are imposing on me, so the least you can do is allow me this".)

It's rude to interrupt someone without giving them the time to put down whatever it is they're doing. Even if it takes more than a few seconds.
For me, a quick "hang on" or "sorry, one sec" acknowledges people enough that they don't feel ignored while I make my notes, and is also scripted enough that it doesn't usually knock the thoughts out of my head.