In our hectic go-go world, maintaining focus can be difficult. When we have everything from phone calls to emails to daily appointments tugging at us, keeping ourselves on track and on task is no small feat.
While I reserve Tuesdays typically for a Technology Tip, I also realize that technology can be our greatest enemy when it comes to maintaining balance and focus within our business.
Below are 3 Simple Ways to Stay on Task and minimize the distractions that end up sucking the life out of our days.
Shut Down Your Technology
Shutting down your email, smart phone and social media sites can be liberating albeit a stressful venture initially.
When I first tried going cold turkey and shutting it all down, it was almost as painful as ripping off a band aid. However, the difference 60 minutes in a quiet location where you can just think and work is worth the effort to push through the panic that someone somewhere might need you right this moment.
Do a Daily Brain Dump
One of the easiest ways for me to stay on task is through a simple piece of good ol' fashioned technology. The yellow legal pad is with me wherever I go and especially at the end of my day. Just prior to closing down for the night I take every task that wasn't completed and list it out on my yellow legal pad. Anything that wasn't accomplished today gets added and all new tasks added as well.
You might have 25 tasks by the time you are finished, but the goal is to get all of your to-do's out of your head and onto paper so you can have a stress free evening. The second goal is to come into the office with a clear plan of action so you can hit the ground running.
For those of you that just can't break away from technology, an easy to use online to-do list is TaDa List.
Find a Focus Buddy
This is something I've recently implemented and find it invaluable. Similar to an accountability partner, a focus buddy will keep you focused on your most important to-do's.
I speak with mine Monday and Friday mornings. Monday is a brief touch point call where we ask each other three questions:
- What is your number one priority this week?
- What about that project will you have accomplished by Friday?
- What steps must you put in place to achieve that goal?
Friday's call is then a follow up to make sure you have accomplished your goals. This is not a coaching call or a bitch session. This is a highly focused, targeted phone call that allows you to move into your week with a defined plan.
The key in this is to find someone with similar goals and values within their business. My focus buddy lives halfway across the country but she is a successful, strong and driven business woman that pushes me to grow within my own business each and every time I talk to her.
So how do you stay focused and avoid distractions on a daily basis? I'd love to hear your suggestions!
Comments(55)