How to Get Focused...and Stay Focused

Management

How to get Focused... and Stay Focused

There are times in any business owner’s week when it feels like the walls are closing in. There are too many things to be done and just not enough time to do them. Chances are you’ve even forgotten why you started this business in the first place.

When this happens (and it happens to all of us at some time) it’s essential to re-align your focus.

Dig out your mission and take a look at it. Are you staying true to it? Have you compromised your values and original goals because other things came along that seemed more urgent? Ask yourself “Am I working on the urgent things or the important things?” There is a difference.

Tips for re-capturing your focus:

At the end of each day make a list of things you must get done the following day. This will help you focus on the important things and not just the urgent ones.
First thing the next morning, review your list and prioritise it. Don’t be tempted to put the hard things at the end of the list because you’ll never get to them and they’ll end up on the next day’s list (and the next day, and the next day).
Set yourself targets and work on achieving them – eg I will achieve items 1-3 on my list before lunchtime, or I will work solidly for 2 hours on that report before having a break.
Tackle the hard things first and then reward yourself when you’ve completed them. This will not only give you a sense of achievement, it will also mean that as the day wears on and your attention fades you will be left with the easier tasks to complete.
Set aside specific times to check your email. Turn it off in between these times?there is nothing more distracting (and time absorbing) than an email alert that pops up and breaks your focus.
The same goes for the phone (mobile and landline)? see above for distraction potential.
If you absolutely must remain available then re-direct your email and phone to a staff member or to voicemail. As long as you return important calls within a reasonable time frame your customers will understand.