Workplace Distractions: The Epidemic of Overwhelm

"There are just never enough hours in a day it seems," says real estate broker-agent Eric Hernandez of the A & E Group in Arlington, Va. His office line rings nonstop, as does his cell phone. His e-mail's inbox overflows with new messages every 30 seconds, and agents pop into his office continually with questions, thanks to his open-door policy. "By lunchtime, I feel like I have already run a marathon," says Hernandez, who manages to stay focused and productive amidst all of these common workplace distractions.