If nterruptupjs are unavoidable, have a small notebook with you. Before someone interrupts you, ask for one moment before you respond. Then write down a note about what you are doing and the next step you want to accomplish. Then you can entertain the interruption. Then kindly tell the, that you will work on the new request after you have finished your queue of tasks that you alrcan Andy have waiting. That might give them the hint that you won’t work on the new task until after you finish your current tasks. The they might just pass it on to someone else who isn’t as busy as you are.

I try to put my foot down when I can and don’t want to be perceived as a pushover who will gladly accept everything. I know that some folks will be insistent and say their new delegated task is important. But one person’s priority may not be your priority. I hate playing that game where I have to put out someone else’s fire.