I have a coworker who keeps coming over to chat multiple times a day right in the middle of my work. It completely breaks my focus and somehow I end up behind even though I am busy all day. It feels small but it adds up fast over a week and starts to impact my performance. I have tried being polite but it keeps happening and I do not want to come off rude. How do you set a boundary with someone like that without creating awkward tension at work?

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You just have to be adamant that you don't have time to talk. You can say things like "not right now" and try to be polite, but it sounds like your colleague is just rude. Some people honestly don't care about anyone else's time, and trying to send them polite signals doesn't work. Don't worry about seeming rude, you need to work and it may be time to be blunt about it.

I would just say that I’d love to give them some time to talk, but I cannot right now. Possibly something about how the multiple mini-breaks are hurting my focus, and it’s nothing to do with them. Some people struggle to take the hint. If you are straightforward (politely) and they are a decent person, it’ll go over fine.

If you’ve done it in a nice way and it still hasn’t made a difference, it’s time to get stern. Simply tell them that their chitchat is very distracting and prevents you from doing your work and that you would appreciate it if they save the chatter for some other time.

Just be up front like come on I love these chats but my work is slacking now I can't focus can we do this another time? I mean clearly their work mustbe slacking if they're bothering you to this level...

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