Staying Focused
Staying focused on the task at hand. It’s something that I’ll admit I find challenging.
Take for instance writing and its application to online success. I know that because I’m just starting my online journey, one of the biggest determinants to my success will be sustained writing. Updating blogs, asking questions, replying to visitor’s comments etc.
But I find myself becoming distracted so easily.
In many ways I’m like a magpie. Anything shiny catches my eye! I know that might sound like a strange analogy, but in this case, it’s an accurate one. Except, rather than being intrigued by any object that is literally ‘shiny’, I’m distracted by almost anything that takes my mind off what I need to be doing right now – which in this case is writing.
For instance, now as I write these words, I’m staring out of my bedroom window. It’s a rather grey, overcast day and the birds are chirping melodically. There is an old man walking his dog and I have been following him with my eyes as he wanders down the street. Case in point – distractions!
Call it writer’s block, or procrastination, call it any buzzword you like. The fact is, I have work to do and I’m struggling with momentum.
I am looking at the positives though - at least I’m writing something!
I thought to myself a few minutes ago, perhaps I should do some research on ways to stop putting off what needs to be done. I’m sure that if I Googled ‘how do I stop procrastinating’, myriad sites would appear telling me that it’s super easy to do if I just started with ‘XYZ’ technique.
But wouldn’t that be the very definition of irony in itself? Googling ways how to beat procrastination. I’m sure I could waste a whole afternoon doing that – and I’d still have no work accomplished!
By writing this piece, I’d love to get some feedback on how everyone manages to stay focused on their most important tasks.
When something important but also laborious needs to be done, how do people stay focused? How do you keep at bay the countless distractions of the everyday? For me, my bisggest distractions are often the mundane - TV, phone, man walking dog outside!
I would love to hear from people how they do it.
For me now though, I’m quite chuffed because my conundrum has at least lead to a blog entry!
Now for my next task, another chapter of WA training. Or perhaps I should just check my emails one more time…
I know the answer to that.
Recent Comments
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I have a dream board built and displayed where I can see it. I have positive affirmations posted where I look the most frequently during the day. I work with instrumental music playing in the background when I'm writing. I do everything I can to stay positive and focused. I have my daily checklist of business responsibilities and personal ones as well and I check them off as I do them. This gives me a sense of accomplishment. It all helps.... Helps me anyhow. Maybe some of it will help you.
Thanks for the feedback Rae Anne.
I agree that staying positive and focused is definitely conducive to accomplishing tasks throughout the day.
I think I might just give the dream board idea a go too!
Thanks again.
Have a great day.
Have seen many other people question this same problem. Having our other business in the house too, makes distractions very common, and also the deadlines associated with that. Only one of us is working on WA at the moment, and then only certain times. I have to pick early in the morning or on a weekend day to set time aside to catch up on blog posts, notices from WA and get another lesson or two in on training.
Time management is a problem for any business. When do you feel you are the most creative writing? For me its when I first wake up and have a pot of coffee brewed. Fewer distractions. I find I am saving documents all the time - I get an idea for a post - make an outline and save it in my WA folder. Kyle suggests not trying to make it perfect. Better to get your idea down, get it published and as you get more in the groove of posting, etc you can go back and update and edit your earlier posts. The more you write, the easier it becomes I am hoping.
Hope that helps a little.
Rod and Troy
Great ideas guys.
For me, I can feel more motivated at various times throughout the day. If I get an idea and I've got a couple of minutes spare, I like to jot down a brief outline in my notepad. That way I can come back to my thoughts and conceptualize them later in the day.
I also agree with Kyle's point about not trying to make everything perfect. I think it's absolutely better to get an idea down and posted, rather than forever waiting for perfection.
Thanks again for all your help.
Regards,
Jake
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we have all suffered the shinny syndrome, writers block, distractions , emergencies all things to take us away from what we are supposed to be doing, when your stuck with writing just write anything till you naturally start going on about your niche