It's 9:30 P.M. and you're exhausted. You've been working all day...or at least you've felt like you've been working all day...but you have little to show for all your time. Projects are still sitting partially done, items on your "to do" list aren't marked off, the phone calls you meant to return weren't made...
And yet it's 9:30 PM, you've been at it for eight or more hours, and you're exhausted.
Huh? What gives?
Simply this:
Technology, while a wonderful thing (I sure wouldn't want to be without it), bombards us from every direction. It surrounds us, entices us and often robs us of our focus. We can become totally absorbed, spend huge amounts of time flitting from one task to another and can end up spinning our wheels all day long without even realizing it.
Chris Brogan of Entrepreneur Magazine claims we have a "new attention deficit disorder" of our own making. And he claims the machines that surround us and permit us to be thousand times more productive than the previous generation are the cause.
He makes the case that instead of plopping down on the couch with a bag of Doritos to wile away the evening in front of our televisions, we seem to spend every spare moment (and then some!) on our computers and phones. I agree these constant distractions pull our focus away from the task at hand, leaving us constantly "busy". And since technology is here to stay, I believe it's important that we take a proactive approach to keeping distractions at a minimum. If I may offer a few suggestions:
1. Habits make or break us. First and foremost, realize that much of what we embrace on a daily basis has come to us gradually...and become habit. Begin replacing those habits with new, more effective behaviors. Remember, it's going to take time, repetition, and DISCIPLINE to develop new habits to replace the old.
2. Email, friend or foe? Pick two or three (no more than three) SPECIFIC TIMES that you check your email. Allow enough time read the important ones and respond to those that need it. Resist the urge stockpile the less urgent stuff thinking that you'll get to "later". Chances are, you won't.
And please realize that in today's fast paced world, if an email is a month old, it's ancient history. The offer's over, the sale's ended, the get together has passed. Use the delete key...the delete key is your friend. (seriously...if it was REALLY important, you'd know about it by now)
Oh! And if you are subscribed to newsletters, etc. that you don't read...unsubscribe. One less distraction for you to deal with.
3. We have Voicemail for a Reason! Hello? Do I really have to elaborate on this one? Don't be a slave to your ringing phone. We have caller ID...if it's someone you really must talk to, pick it up. Otherwise, let it go to voicemail and stay on task. Call them back when it's convenient for YOU.
If the ringing phone bugs you, set the ringer to silent. And here's another cool thing... both my land line and my cell phone have the ability to send calls directly to voicemail... the phone doesn't even ring.
4. Facebook & Twitter. How many times a day do you really have to check to see what Sally Sue and Billy Bob think of your status post/Tweet? Like email, schedule a couple (no more than three) times a day when you hop on the social sites and interact with folks.
5. IE, Firefox and Chrome. Gotta love the improvements in Internet browsers over the past few years! Makes surfing and multi-tasking SO much easier with all those tabs! But really...keep open browsers and tabs at a minimum. Seeing the little notification numbers on your email or social media tab only serves to distract you from the task at hand.
6. Start and End Your Day with your "To-Do" list. Write down the tasks that you MUST accomplish each day, and work at your list until they are done. Review your list in the morning (you may need to make minor changes) and before quitting for the day, write your list for the next day. Having a list to follow makes it easier to regain focus should you get off track for some reason.
7. We are people! Probably the most important of all is to take time for real, face to face conversations with people. And when you're with them really BE with them. Don't keep glancing at your Blackberry or texting someone else in the middle of a conversation. Better yet, shut your phone OFF and let calls go to voicemail. Maintain eye contact and let the other person know you're really interested in what they have to say. You'll be surprised at how much impact this simple habit will have on your relationships... business and otherwise.
Sure, we're busy. And we seem to be getting busier all the time. But developing just one or two new habits may help "cure" you of the new attention deficit disorder. Besides, you may just end up freeing up enough time that you're actually able to relax.
Cathie Heath is a veteran in the home business industry who shares resources and marketing know-how at [
http://www.cathieheath.com]http://www.cathieheath.com. She invites you to visit her website and while you're there, subscribe to her insiders list for marketing tips, information on resources available and access to her members only area.
In 2010, along with marketing expert, Diane Hochman, and a few other key people, Cathie became one of the founding members of the Home and Small Business Network where she is a teacher and trainer. The Home and Small Business Network is a resource and training community for people in network marketing, internet marketing, affiliate marketing, direct sales and small businesses of all types. For more information, go to
http://marketingpower.withcathie.com or contact Cathie directly by email at [mailto:
cathie@cathieheath.com]
cathie@cathieheath.com
Article Source: [
http://EzineArticles.com/?7-Ways-to-Stay-on-Task-and-Get-More-Done&id=6117674] 7 Ways to Stay on Task and Get More Done