Top Tips for Staying Focused

Did you set some goals for the new year or new season? Maybe you want to earn a promotion, hit a health or fitness goal, write a book or earn an incentive trip.

Here’s the thing-when you stay focused on your goals, productivity comes naturally. You start moving in the direction of your goals & dreams.

But then those distractions come creeping in to mess up your workflow and throw you off schedule and off goal!

If your day is anything like mine, you’re probably constantly being thrown distractions that limit the amount of work you are able to get done.

After all, we only have 24 hours in a day.  All of us have the same amount of time….whether you’re Beyonce or Betty Jo a stay at home mom.

Well, I want to share my top tips with you for limiting distractions and staying focused on your goals!

1. “Pre-game” Your Day

Create your list of what you are going to accomplish the night before and review it before you go to bed.  Research shows that your brain will begin working on that list while you sleep.  Review your list first thing in the morning….before you pick up your phone!

Which brings me to tip #2….

2. Use Technology.  Don’t Let it Use You.

Take breaks from technology (which is a little ironic at the moment as you are reading this email on an electronic device).

The reality is that we are spending way too much time using technology unintentionally.  There’s a reason why the iPhone sends you a weekly activity report.  When Apple added that report I was astounded at the amount of time I was spending on my phone.

Technology isn’t bad. The key is to BE INTENTIONAL with your technology. Plan when, where and how you are using it. Schedule and plan in your day when you will watch videos, scroll Instagram, check email, plug into your team page for announcements, etc. If you’re easily distracted, consider turning your phone on "Do Not Disturb" while focused on an important tasks.

3. Practice The Rule of 5

This is one of the most powerful success habits you can implement to reach goals.  The RULE OF 5 simply means that every day you do 5 specific things that will move you toward your big goal. Each day identify your top 5 priority actions that will move you closer to your aspirations. It is the compound effect of that consistent daily action over time that will get you the results you are aiming for!

4.Schedule a Focus Day

A focus day is a day when you spend the majority of that day working on what you are most focused on. Spend at least 80% of your day working in that area for that day. For example - if you are focused on improving customer relations or retention, you would spend the majority of your day do customer reach outs. I like to do this on Fridays to finish out the week strong.  What I like to call “FINISH IT FRIDAY”.

Which one of these tips are you going to use this week?