As small business owners, we have to do it all. We must manage the daily activities and create goals and plan out the long-term steps it will take to get us there. Along the way, we can forget we can drop the ball in different areas and have to regroup and rush to get back on schedule. It can be quite frustrating, and we can beat up on ourselves for not doing what we were “supposed” to do.
Recently, I was speaking with a client, and she was concerned at how much money was coming in. As we hashed out what has been happening in the last six months to get her to where she was now, she realized something. She recalled that her focus wasn’t on the business, it was on her blended family concerns and what needed to be done in her personal life to help her stepson get into college. In doing those tasks, she realized that time was quickly used up for other important tasks. And, now she is paying the price for the lack of focus.
I found that this type of scenario also happens to my other clients as well as myself. It’s not that we don’t want to spend time on our business. It’s just that we need to focus on other things that are more pressing. But, by doing this, we take away the focus we have on a particular goal and as a result, lose steam on getting it completed.
Four words to live by with questions to ask yourself about your business.
Live: Are you committed to your business and your lifestyle? What is your long-term goal? Does it inspire you to keep moving forward?
Love: Do you tell people who work with you why you appreciate them? Have you showed it to them regularly?
Work: Are you positively contributing to society?
Inspire: Are you helping others be the best they can be?
The good news is all is not lost. It is possible to come back from a busy life fairly quickly. There are just a few steps that need to be adjusted to get you back on track quickly.
To stay focused in times of distractions, here are nine ways to stay focused in your business.
Add activities to your calendar and set the alarm.
Setting the alarm is the key especially if you are doing other things and forget to get stuff done that are on your to-do list. These reminders help you see how much time it will take because you can block out as much time as you need.
Be true to you and your time.
Underestimated how long it takes to do something is frustrating and counterproductive. If you underestimate how long it takes to do tasks, add a half an hour or hour to the time to give you a buffer.
Plan your day the night before.
Making your plan for your day’s activities the night before works wonders. Even better, visualize finishing the projects and that it is completed to your satisfaction. This tip works great if the task is something you can accomplish on your own.
Pick the most difficult thing at the time that you are most alert.
If you are alert in the morning, schedule your most challenging assignment in the morning. If you are more alert at 3:00 pm, plan your most time-consuming project at that time. This tip will help you keep going and are more likely to minimize the distractions at that point.
Eat energizing food throughout the day.
Snacks that mess with your blood sugar is a super downer for productivity. Instead, pick vegetables like celery or proteins like hardboiled eggs for the prolonged energy you need to minimize distractions.
Create a reminder poster of your long-term goals.
Make a post that states your long-term goals for your business. Look at it a few times a day, especially when you are distracted. This will give you a quick reminder to help you stay focused.
Remove reminder notifications on all devices.
Not having pop-ups on your devices will considerably reduce the number of distractions you have. And, don’t forget your smart watches, phones, and tablets.
Remove everything from the desk but the task at hand.
Multitasking is a sure-fire way to distract yourself. So, instead, physically remove all papers, notebooks, cellphones, tablets, other computers, from your desk. Make your desk clean and clear of anything that will distract you from doing what you need to do.
Wear headphones!
By taking out the noise, you may be able to focus on what needs completing, especially if it is something where you need to hear your thoughts. It helps because it allows you to make your voice heard.
Well, there you have it. I hope this helps you stay focused when everything seems to be distracting you in your business. Let’s continue the conversation. Are there any tips you want to share that helps you stay focused when you have many distractions? Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
Are you looking for some more articles on the subject of staying focused? Here are three posts to give you even more ideas.
13 Ways to Beat Distractions and Stay Focused at Work
The science of how to stay focused: Psychology, slow habits, and chewing gum
Ways To Determine Your Small Business Focus
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon and at no additional cost to you, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
