Focus on what matters, not everything!

Focus on what matters, not everything and by everything, I mean you don’t have to be and do it all. You don’t have to be the next tickety tok star, have a Facebook page or group. Be using ALL the newest features – doing all the things!

Potential clients land at my door craving focus or time to focus, which is pretty much the same thing. They tell me they are doing everything but not gaining traction. While others are so busy they can’t see the wood for the trees and have lost sight of their vision. They are focusing on everything and anything, busy, head down and exhausted.

Not all of them, admittedly, but even those with the most robust plans and fully committed to their goals can find focusing on the right activity challenging.

So why is it so hard to attain and maintain focus?

One: We live in a world where information is readily available with just a click.

Social media platforms offer solutions, ideas, and the next big thing without us even asking. The algorithms provide you with the answers you weren’t even looking for, and everyone has a view, opinion, or blueprint for success, even the cat! It’s hard to keep up, and the world continues to move quickly. So there is no longer an app for that. Instead, there is now an AI for that – and soon something else again, although what I can’t imagine!

For goodness, when I started work, there were no emails, mobiles or internet, and the computer took an hour to warm up. But I digress.

The one thing you can do right away to improve your ability to focus, and it won’t cost you a penny, is reduce the amount of content you consume. Unsubscribe from email lists, leave Facebook groups, and choose no more than three incredible entrepreneurs/influencers to follow and listen to. Cut out the noise.

Two: We expect instant gratification – delivered tomorrow, sooner – immediately.

There is no longer joy in wandering the shops to find the perfect outfit. Trying on several in a teeny tiny changing room and exploding through the curtain, still wearing your socks. We want it all, and we want it NOW.

Yet, there is no such thing as an overnight success – I did try to find you an example, my search was fruitless. However, I did find out that YouTube started as a dating site – who knew? I didn’t.

Business is and should be an incredible journey of learning and discovery, and there are no rules about the time it should take to achieve your success. Plus, and most importantly, life is too precious to waste pushing. So, I encourage you to relax, take your time and fully experience the journey.

Three: You are choosing to focus on the wrong things.

Yes, it’s you and possibly because of one or two above, or a combination of both. Potentially because you’re still not crystal clear on what success is for you and bouncing around trying to do a little or lots of everything. You are trying to be all things and not creating the space you need to focus on what matters most.

One way to fix this is to decide on inspiring and motivational goals for the business. Goals created with the end in mind are powerful guiding stars that keep you on track and, you focused on the priorities. So, please give it a go.

Focus is a skill that enables you to begin a task and see it through, maintaining attention and effort until the job is complete. It helps you to pay attention, avoid distractions and setbacks and sustain the effort and energy needed to reach a goal.

While it is a choice, the more you practise, the easier it will become. And soon focusing on the right activity will be second nature.

So, what is the right activity?

Well, that is where I come in. If you are still trying to figure out where to focus your attention, I invite you to book a discovery call.