How To Stay Focused In Your Business

by Jon Allo

One of the most important things you can do for your business is to make sure that you are focused. Multitasking has been proved to be nothing more than wishful thinking. You simply can’t do more than one thing at a time well.

If you want to get more done, in less time, here are some ways to stay focused.

Use a Calendar

Your calendar is your best friend when it comes to staying focused. Use it to make a list of things you are supposed to do each day and to set deadlines and check-up points, to make sure you’re being effective.

Prioritize

If you have a to-do list, it’s important to prioritize what you are doing so that you can do the most important things first. Each person’s priorities will be different. The truth is, if you are a small business owner, your first priority each day should be doing the work that you need to do for yourself as your “first” client.

Turn Off Noise

Turn off your phone, your cell, your email, your social media networks, and focus on each thing you’re doing 100%. Don’t focus on all the noise around you. It’s really hard to do, but you’ll find that the work you produce is of higher quality and that you’ll get done faster.

Take a Walk

Whether it’s a walk or other types of exercise or movement… before you get down to work on any project, be sure to move. Breathe in deeply, breathe out deeply and clear your mind of all the junk going through it so that you can focus.

Time Yourself

Try not to work for more than 90 minutes at a time without a break. Taking frequent breaks where you get away from your work or the project for at least five minutes will do wonders for your ability to focus. But, don’t use this time as email checking time. Get away from your desk and do something else.

Stop Multitasking

It’s gotten crazy that people have started to see multitasking as a virtue. The truth is that it is very inefficient, causes undue stress, and you don’t get things done any faster. Plus, typically what you do when not focused is of lower quality and you can’t get as much done.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Trying to do everything fast and over-scheduling yourself is a sure-fire way to become unfocused. Instead, give yourself more time than you think it will take so that you have plenty of down time. Being stressed out and rushing through things is a way to make mistakes.