Are you frustrated by a lack of focus?

By 39 Comments

Today is all about the Focus Factor!

Hocus Pocus! The Magic is in the Focus!

I do not have the Midas Touch. I do not live on Easy Street. I am not just gifted with secret gifts that make my business grow.

I have harnessed the power of FOCUS.

Watch this brief video on the ‘curse of the Entrepreneur’ and then I’ll share a few tips on ‘upping’ your Focus Factor!

YouTube Preview Image

Ok…so you’re not alone, right? We all struggle with that!

So, how do we buckle down and get it done?

  1. Deadlines (the greatest invention EVER) – set a deadline, be accountable to it – state it publicly if you must. Deadlines WORK.
  2. Work from a short list. The reason you are distracted is because your ‘to-do’ list looks like the all-you-can-eat buffet at the Golden Corral. Focus on 3 critical things that will bring you closer to your goal or closer to money. Focus on those FIRST. When you’re done…worried about the ‘rest’ of the ‘extra stuff.’
  3. Reward yourself. Seems elementary – but hey – this is how we train our kids, our pets and maybe even our spouses (shhh). Make a deal with yourself, ‘When item #1 on my list is done – I’m going to listen to my favorite 15 minute podcast or surf 2 blogs or play angry birds for a few minutes! (set the timer). Whatever it is that motivates you – reward yourself. It works. I promise.

This isn’t brain surgery — but come to think of it – - aren’t we glad the surgeon is focused while he has our skull cracked open?? I would hate to think he took the same approach to that operation as we do to our business systems sometimes… ponder THAT ;)

How do you think a new approach to the Focus Factor will help you in your business efforts? What are some tips YOU’d like to share? Let us know below!

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Filed Under: Blog Posts, Goal Setting, Motivation & Persistence, Video
About Carrie Wilkerson

Consultant & Strategist for self-employed professionals & small business owners. Wife, Mom, Author, Speaker & Joyful Human! Host of http://BarefootExecutive.TV and professional encourager...I believe in your dreams, in home-based business and the power of ruthless implementation!

  • http://www.coachlindaryan.com Linda Ryan

    Not sure if I can add to this perfect list Carrie. Ritalin maybe? Seriously great advice~thanks!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1258241553 Megan Thomas Dorsey

    Love #2.  Focusing on a few things will keep me from freezing up at the prospect of trying to get through my giant idea list.

  • Anonymous

    you know I wrote that one for you :)

  • http://www.agoodread.com Judith Tramayne

    Discipline (Focus) happens when you block out time to do one project at a time.  Multi-tasking does not lend itself to being focused.  When writing a book or info product, write but don’t edit.  Leave off in a middle of a sentence.  The next day, go back and edit what you wrote the day before.  After about 20 minutes, you’ll be back in your alpha mode ready to write more.  Do this every day until your project is done.

    What this will do is train your brain so you’ll be flipping into your alpha (creative) mode in only 1 to 5 minutes.  And that’s where the magic happens.

  • Anonymous

    LOL – truth is, I could medicate if I wanted to -but I prefer my HIGH energy – so I just channel it ;)

  • Anonymous

    Great advice Judith!

  • http://events.mobilemerger.com Emil Wisch

    Did you have your readers with focus-deficiency in the front of your mind while putting this post together? Nice short post for short attention spans. Rock ‘n’ Roll!

  • Anonymous

    Focus Fridays is always going to be short for that reason ;) BACK TO WORK!
    LOL

  • http://events.mobilemerger.com Emil Wisch

    Grr. Stop yelling at meeeee…..we have problems with authority, too, ya know (ADDers & the self-employed…I think) :)

  • Anonymous

    Lol oh yes we absolutely do. We are rebels for sure ;) (I never yell ;)

  • http://events.mobilemerger.com Emil Wisch

    This is actually the first time I’ve stumbled upon you and the blog, Carrie. Just finished watching “Your Story”. You’re alright, you know that. You’re real. I can relate to (some of) your pain. 

    All the power in the world to ya, Mrs. Wilkerson. I’ve got a really good feeling (based on my uncanny character profiling skills) that you deserve it.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Janika-Skembo/1177116822 Janika Skembo

    When I was taking an abnormal psychology class I learned that there is bi-polar manic-depressive and mono-polar depression, but they do not classify mono-polar manic as a disorder.  I came to the conclusion, after reading the manic episode description and being able to relate to it on multiple levels, that mono-polar mania is the profile of success in our society.  Knowing about how long our mania will last, we can maximize it by making that our deadline.  It also means being patient with ourselves as we consistently work through several manic cycles to get it all together.  The down-times should not be laden with guilt and self-destruction. 

    Great post.  Thank you!

  • Anonymous

    Interesting stuff Janika – thanks for sharing!

  • Marianmeade

    Thanks Carrie!   I really needed to see this!
    Marian Meade

  • Marianmeade

    Thanks Carrie!   I really needed to see this!
    Marian Meade

  • Marianmeade

    Thanks Carrie!   I really needed to see this!
    Marian Meade

  • Marianmeade

    Thanks Carrie!   I really needed to see this!
    Marian Meade

  • Marianmeade

    Thanks Carrie!   I really needed to see this!
    Marian Meade

  • http://writedirection.com Debra Jason

    Loved what you said about “Make a deal with yourself… Whatever it is that motivates
    you – reward yourself. It works. I promise.”  When I get something done, I forget to take a break. I just move onto the next thing on the list.

    I have to laugh as I bought a timer to remind myself to take breaks and guess what? The timer didn’t work, had to return it. LOL. Thanks Carrie.

  • Anonymous

    that is a persistence test ;)

    Make sure you find one that DOES work!!

  • Stephanie Boosahda

    Carrie…I’m learning soooo much from you, girl!  Thanks for passing on the wisdom!   YOU GOT DA GOODS!!!  :)  
    Can’t wait to hear you this Wednesday in Nashvegas! 
    STephanie Boosahda

  • Anonymous

    Wednesday is gonna be too much fun :) See you there!

  • http://www.takeasmartstep.com Andrea Travillian

    I have been using timers for a while now and they are an amazing way to keep you focused and on track.  If I am working on a big project I might say I have to do this for one hour, I will set the timer and go.  If I get interrupted by something I stop the timer and then restart it, so my 1 hour really is one hour!

  • Anonymous

    love it!

  • http://www.agoodread.com Judith Tramayne

    I would like to know what timer you use.  I haven’t found one that works well for me.  I just want a timer that I set and then dings when the hour is up.

  • Anonymous

    I use a kitchen timer. Was $3 from dollar store

  • http://twitter.com/TheBusyFool Andrew Horder

    Nice post, some simple and effective strategies there.  I’d add one more, journalist and writer Katie Ledger talks about identifying the ‘single red thread’ that runs through everything you do, and making sure you don’t take on stuff that doesn’t fit with it.  That helps keep your to-do ‘library’ down to half-way manageable list levels, because it filters out a lot of the “bright new shiny” opportunities (to waste your time).  Your micro-strategies will do the rest.

  • Anonymous

    Red thread — love it!!

  • Rebecca

    I have to laugh, because about 3/4 way through your video I found myself reading the tweets about you on the side of the page, totally not paying attention to the video anymore.  I had to rewind it & make myself FOCUS!  Yep, I need all of your guidelines!  Thanks for the great info!

  • Anonymous

    Heehee welcome to the club!

  • Linda Ryan

    Judith, I recently started using Action Enforcer and I really like it.  Can’t even remember who recommended it, but it’s definitely a big help. Cost is $27 and he offers a guarantee if you don’t like it. http://e1kad.com/r/action-enforcer

  • http://socialbizlocalbiz.com Kate L Williams

    I have two timers I love and use regularly [both are red!]. One is a Polder electronic hour glass and the other is a CDN egg. I set them to count down in 15-20 minute increments when I need to “power focus”. Both will let you set and count down–or set and count up. Sometimes I need to know how long something will take me….

  • http://improvememory-reviewpros.com Ashleigh

    I can’t see having a list of ONLY 3 things per day that need doing. I have about 20!?! Do you do a lot of delegating, Carrie?

  • Anonymous

    These are 3 critical things in your business that MUST get done. Not all the ‘busy’ work but 3 criticals.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Torrian-Scott/79101332 Torrian Scott

    You’ve come around in my life..RIGHT in TIME! Thank You!

  • http://twitter.com/AGordonFuller Gordon Fuller

    Carrie,

    “Amen” to identifying the problem so many of us big-picture folks face.

    And “Hallelujah” for the simple, distinct steps for resolving the problem.

    Now for the hardest part for me; the self-discipline to implement them.

    Thanks.

    … now where was I?

  • Carrie Wilkerson

    LOL I resemble that remark!

  • http://blog.sunwaptasolutions.com Doug Wagner

    This is one of the keys to success that we unders estimate. People often feel multitasking is something they excel at. Reality is important stuff needs focus and completion which leads to results. More results equals more success.

    And rewards for sure.

    So what am I doing reading this? Back to focus first.

  • Carrie Wilkerson

    Blogs aren’t evil – just need to be scheduled and intentional :)