Entrepreneurs are blessed and cursed with a creative mind. You have so many ideas but don't know where to start because of other distractions. With these three steps you will learn how to take an opportunity and be efficent in working it into a reality.
Is maintaining focus difficult for you? If you’re an entrepreneur, most likely it is. You see, entrepreneurs are blessed (and cursed) with busy, brilliant, creative minds. Why is that a curse as well as a blessing? Well, sometimes no matter how hard we try, we just can’t seem to quiet the creative mind long enough to focus on the tedious work of completing our goals. There are mental distractions everywhere! You know what I’m talking about: those “bright and shiny objects” that all look so promising? They sure do get in the way of productivity, don’t they?
What a dilemma! We’d be hard-pressed to succeed without those right-brained qualities and innovative ideas, but how do we let the logical left brain function take over when the creative right brain wants to run the show? How can we make sure our ideas get the attention they deserve yet also pay attention to the action steps necessary to make our big picture goal come to fruition?
One of the tricks is to make sure that any bright and shiny objects you consider pursuing are in harmony with the big picture. Don’t let every opportunity detour you; this robs you of time that you could be putting into your dream. Use the first tip below to help you decide if a goal or opportunity is worth fitting in. Then move on to steps 2 and 3 and watch how efficiently you can get it to done!
1. Examine it.
Consider all of the reasons that you want to pursue this idea and list its benefits on paper. Are you doing this for the right reasons? Do you feel that it is in integrity with your values, vision, and your business model? If not, this is the time and place to revise the goal until it feels right or eliminate it altogether. Don’t limit yourself to logic when you are making these determinations; use your intuition as well
2. Make it friendly.
Once you are certain that your new goal is a good fit create a friendly document for each series of steps you will take to make it happen. Also create a timeline. When will you have each phase or step complete? For instance, when will the outline of my e-book be complete? etc. I leave my timeline document open on my PC’s desktop. Between client sessions I refer to it to see what the next action step is - and I DO IT.
3. Make it a habit.
Now the trick is to remember to look at your working document. Until it becomes habit, put a reminder in your calendar or sticky notes throughout your home, car and office. Referring to your task list needs to become automatic so that you don’t get off track with other projects and grand ideas that can wait until another time.
Tip:
Schedule blocks of time at least 3 times a week to work on your goals and do not allow interruptions. Turn off email, unplug the phone, and put a Do Not Disturb sign on your office door! If you have young children and work from home, honor your vision by bringing in a sitter or getting involved in a babysitting exchange. Before you know it you’ll be looking back on your achievements and forward to a better life!
