F.O.C.U.S. = ‘Follow One Course Until Success’
Ok, I totally nabbed that one from John Lee Dumas. It really resonates with me – a self-professed ‘Jack (Jane?) of all trades.’
I know I’m not the only one that struggles with how to stay focused on my goals. I also know I’m not the only one that struggles with ‘bright light syndrome’, which is the draining habit of trying to split your focus and attention across too many things at once. Sound familiar?!
This syndrome runs rampant in The Solopreneur Society, which isn’t surprising when you consider how natural it is for us entrepreneurial types to overextend ourselves in the name of getting a lot done.
Think about it…
You want (insert your top 3 actionable goals) and you want them ready to go by (insert your self-imposed deadline).
BUT, to get those done by then, you first need tackle 1,482 things on your ever growing to do list.
Enter, overwhelm.
The truth is, trying to do everything at once is the quickest path to procrastination, stress, exhaustion and ultimately: burnout. All of which are where brands go to die!
In order to find your focus, it’s important that you understand (AND believe)…
There’s no time like RIGHT NOW to get started!
It doesn’t take years of mindfulness meditation (although that would be nice to have under your belt), certifiable skills, weeks of planning, or days of decision making.
A large part of struggles with focus stem from FEARS you’re not addressing.
Fears like…
‘What if I do this all wrong and have to start over again?’
‘What if something better comes along but I miss it because I already got it done?’
‘Maybe I should sit on this decision longer, because I’m just not ready!’
WRONG! No more of that bullshit, buttercup!
To help you bask in your productivity (and keep those fears in check), here are 4 quick & dirty ways to help you stay focused on your goals, so you can get MORE done.
THE DOMINO TEST
One of the most eye guzzling sights on earth is the collapse of a lengthy line of dominos.
(Unless it’s your younger sibling who set it off, of course.)
My girl, Chalene Johnson recommends first setting a ‘Push Goal’, which is a goal that ‘if achieved would make all (or most) of your other goals possible.’
This is a great technique to quickly figure out whether something is truly worth your full attention at the moment or if it’s just something you should but can’t let go of yet.
For example, is writing a blog post every week something that will directly result in making any or all of your other goals more attainable?
Will it help you reach any of your other goals, such as:
- Developing a writing style
- Growing an audience
- Building an email list
- Establishing authority
If you can say ‘yes, it does!’, it passes the Domino Test!
SETUP AN EXPERIMENT
Now it’s time for a mindset shift, so put your lab coat on!
Approaching a task in a scientific way can take a lot of self-sabotaging emotion out of picture. After all, if it’s an ‘experiment’, you can’t really fail, you just observe, test and adjust again and again until you get the result you were looking for.
Setting your experiment is as simple as:
- Setting a measurable goal/outcome
- Setting a realistic deadline to make your measurement
By setting a deadline WITH a measurable goal, you can now easily and quickly determine whether it’s time to tweak your factors and try again OR call it ‘done’ and move on to the next experiment on your to do list.
Bonus tip: Create a visual reminder to keep your goal and outcome at the forefront of your mind. That may come in the form of making a vision board, sticking a post-it to the fridge, or setting a wallpaper on your home-screen or desktop. Do whatever method works best for you. It’s all about eating, breathing and sleeping ONE super focused goal at a time.
TAKE 20 MINUTE WALK
Walking away and getting your heart rate up is the best free tool you have in the war on focus.
I know it might seem counter intuitive to take a break right when you’re at your busiest, and especially when you’re drowning in your massive to do list, but hear me out!
Walking is physiologically PROVEN to release stress, and clear your mind. If fact, most of my most brilliant ideas (ok, and some pretty terrible ones too) have occurred on my daily walks.
Stop saying you’re too busy to take a break and get your walk on. Why? Because you’re missing out on the benefits this little getaway can gift you.
If you give this technique a try, what you’ll find is that you’re at least twice more productive than you were BEFORE you took a breather.
If you do these walks daily, you’ll quickly find that your to do list starts to feel a lot LESS significant, and a lot MORE doable. It’s all about keeping razor focused, and that’s what short daily walks will gift you.
Bonus tip: Remember to ‘keep it real’ with yourself. Just because your focus is on this one specific thing now, don’t forget your razor focus is helping you get it done in record time so you can move on to the next specific task soon. It’s all about patience, yo!
SELF IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS
Is NO self control a problem you struggle with? It’s ok, ME too!
The best news is that there are apps made specifically for that. Seriously.
There are plenty of clever apps and plugins that allow you to physically restrain yourself from procrastinating or getting stuck on any less-important tasks as your work.
For example, Self Control is a recent obsession of mine that I’ve been playing with. I love it because 1,) it’s super simple 2,) it’s free. Boom!
Other great apps for focusing are Rescue Time and Focusapp.
Don’t feel like you have to do this alone. Let these apps help you find and bask in your focus. That’s exactly what they are there for!
WRAP UP
Finding your focus doesn’t need to be ANOTHER thing to add to your ‘to do list’.
Get started on your journey to unstoppable solopreneur by using these four techniques to stay focused on your goals, which will help you get a LOT more done. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be mind blown by how much more you can actually get done when you’re not trying to tackle every damn thing at once!
Before you go, do me a favor and share what struggles you’ve had with focus and what things have helped you become a more productive boss!
Pretty please with a BIG ass high five on top? (nope, I’m not above a lil groveling)
Hi there! I really loved this article of yours! I am a solo entrepreneur and I have applied some of the the things you said. Thanks for reminding me to focus and rest my brain. I realized that those tips you shared will lead me to a successful business life. Well, I’m reading Solopreneur Business Plan by businessmentals and this article of yours help me too. Thank you!
You’re most welcome, Angelia! Keeping a healthy head space is MAKE OR BREAK, so be good to your brain and give whatever rest it needs. ?
Hey Cat!
Great post.
I’m just getting started as a full-time blogger and entrepreneur, so this totally resonates with me. I always feel like I have so much to do, and it leads to overwhelm, stress and burnout.
Focus and productivity is something that I need to improve on.
Walking definitely helps me lot. I’ve always been playing with restrictions and time blocking.
Thanks for the tips!
I’m right there with ya, Eli! Overwhelm and burnout is where brands go to die, so I’m stoked to hear you’re already being proactive about it. It’s mind blowing how much of a difference these 4 simple tactics make….so make sure and make time for YOU and your mental health, it will allow you as a brand owner to soar to new levels of success…again, and again! You GOT THIS, brotha {fist bump}
Hi Cat!
You’re speaking my language…
Every quarter I set a push goal for myself. If the goal isn’t going to stretch me — phrasing! — then I don’t want to waste my time on it.
And I love the idea you suggested — I tack up a visual reminder in my home office. It’s generally a printed copy of a thermometer, and I color it in each day/week/month as I make progress towards my goal.
That helps a lot.
I hadn’t heard of some of these apps to combat distractions — noted! I have to check them out.
Great topic and post!
Dre — what’s going on, girl?
You’ve had quite the crew of kick-ass of guest posters lately. Keep it up!
Brent
I LOVE that thermometer image idea…consider that one stolen! Here’s to hog tying our goals like the beasts we are, brotha man! {fist bump}
Really great post and excellent tips. I will be visiting often ?
For me, the biggest struggle I have had is learning to say no to every new program that comes along. I love learning but found I need to just focus on the activities that are going to make me money. In “The One Thing”, the author ask the question what is the one thing that you can do right now that will make those other tasks easier or eliminate them. By simply thinking about this question, it has helped me to make sure that I get the most important task out of the way. I usually list some tasks that I want to do for that day and then pull out the ones that are income producing. Once I put those at the top of my list, I pick the most important one and focus on that until it is done. If time permits for the other ones, then I start that. If not, it gets moved to the next day. Since I love learning so much, I actually make that a reward. LOL! Yep, if I complete a task than I take a learning break ?
I la la looooove that whole reward system, I do something similar. I got stuck in learning mode for a long time and I found it was a procrastination mechanism for me, so just be mindful that you aren’t holding yourself back in the name of fear.
Here’s to your learning while you keep kicking ass and taking names. Go got this, girl!! {fist bump}
Great point ? Thank you and I will!
Awesome post here Cat!
The domino effect is a brilliant idea. That shed some light into me with some of my goal setting. I’ll have to dive in even deeper and evaluate how I can create goals that create a ripple effect. Sure saves a lot of time, money and effort if you do it this way.
As for experiments, I’m forcing myself to experiment and enjoy life. One of my mentors said “There are no failed experiments because experiments are meant to move you towards your goal. Even when we don’t get the results we desire, we’ve grown wiser and moved closer towards our end goal. Bottom line, we’re not in the same boring and lonely spot in life anymore.
I also truly believe that exercise always increases productivity and effectiveness. We all need breaks and we all need to stay healthy. Nothing can beat that. ?
Great post here. Thank you for sharing Cat!
I couldn’t have said it better, PJ! Cat certainly nailed it with this list, and offered some really kickass tips for getting past our self imposed blocks. The magic is always on the other side of the fear, so here’s to staying on this productive side of the hill.
Thanks a TON for the comment love, brotha! {fist bump}
I think you nailed this post with the part on experimenting. I think the only way to get out of the “perfection” trap is if you start looking at everything as an experiment. It allows you to have this childlike freedom to persevere regardless of what obstacles come your way. It just allows you to bypass all barriers within your comfort zone! It’s the number one key to success!
xo, N
I love that one too, and I love your approach, girl! 9 times outta 10 it’s all in the approach, so approaching something as an experiment makes it a LOT less daunting for sure.
Thanks a TON for the comment love, Natasha! {fist bump}
Wonderful post Cat. Lately I’ve been working on being more focused by going for daily walks (as you suggested) and having quiet time where I sit with a cup of green tea and just relax. These two tings have been the most effective in me staying focused on my goals.
Loved your advice. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Cat totally nailed it with her tips! Isn’t it amazing what a difference a short daily walk does for your focus? Sometimes I feel like I’m in a zone and can’t afford to get up from the screen…then one day turns into 3 and BAM, the focus starts to flounder.
Kudos to you for making the effort to stay on top of your relaxation so you can bask in knowing your focus is there anytime you need it. You GO GIRL! Thanks a TON for the comment love, Tiffany!! {fist bump}
This post spoke to me. I meditate every day and I need to focus on what I want to accomplish, but there are so many things. I like the idea of picking one obtainable goal and sticking to it. Writing down that goal or putting it on a vision board is a good idea also! Thank you!
I swear by meditation too! And trust me, focusing on ONE goal at a time and breaking down that goal into daily actionable tasks is the best way to keep overwhelm at bay. Give it try and let me know how much epicness you get done, Kelly! ; )
P.S. Thank YOU for the comment love, girl!
Hey Dre,
Awesome having Cat here today to share her tips about focusing on our goals. I tell ya ladies, we can definitely have WAY too much on our plates at times and the next thing you know we haven’t accomplished one darn thing.
My first post for this new year was how to improve your blog with a 90 day plan. I think we put WAY too much pressure on ourselves at times and what I like to do is write down what I want to do and then give myself two weeks to get that done. I think when you start seeing some results then you’re more motivated to keep going. Don’t focus on anything else, stop getting distracted, you’re on a mission darn it so just focus focus focus. Oh yeah!
I walk every day for 30 minutes and since my Mom moved next door to me we go together. I also have a dog so I take her out every four hours so just to get outside in the fresh air and clear your head, BEST advice EVER!!!
Love your advice Cat, thank you for sharing this with us and I hope both of you ladies are having the BEST week ever. I say that a lot but hey, I like to keep a positive attitude about things ya know.
Off to share this one with my friends so you gals have a great day.
~Adrienne
You so NAILED IT! Focus can be the hardest thing when we aren’t taking care of ourselves. I think that’s EXACTLY when issues like burn out, lost creativity, and fears run rampant. I’m so grateful to have business besties like you who I can share my struggles with and know you’ll just GET IT!
I get so caught up in my day that I don’t get my walk on enough, so this year I’ve made it a major goal to get up from my desk a few times a day and get my walk on. I also start my day with a 4 mile walk. DAMN, what a difference that’s made for my clarity, focus, and energy level. I swear I get more done in less time when I build downtime into my day. Isn’t it crazy how simple it can be??
Cat is the best, this post hit home for a lot of us because…the struggle is REAL, yo!
We love your positivity, lady, don’t ever lose that beautiful outlook you have. Sending tons of love your way, Adrienne – I can’t thank you enough for the blog comment juice!! <3
You were in my brain with this one kid! I have been so busy doing too much I’ve been struggling to get anything done. Between ADHD, OCD and a small case of perfectionism I get way too inside my head (and it’s scary up there), forget to walk away. Thanks for the reminder and going to get off my ass tomorrow and see where it takes me…. And going to do the chakra balance meditation that seems to help reset my brain when I can’t shut down. Thanks once again for the much needed reminder
I need that reminder all the time, I’m pretty dense and stubborn like that. I know what you mean about getting too much in your head, that’s me too. A lot of times it only takes very small steps to get us out of our heads…but that doesn’t always mean we do it. Here’s to getting off our asses and not letting all our lettered disorders {ADHD, OCD, etc} hold us back. Channel them for the good, brotha… ; )
I LOVE the experimental approach! (I am working as a researcher btw.) Sometimes we intentionally set the experiment although we know it will be incomplete or it will “fail” in a certain sense, just to get more ideas, more data, more results. Sometimes it leads to proposal (and money) to do bigger-better version. Exact thing that can be implemented here! It can become a “Push Goal”. (I love that concept!) Because the life is one big experiment!
Cat, Dre, I enjoyed this post! Gracias!
I la la looove that…’Life is one big experiment’! Ain’t that the truth.
Thanks a ton for the comment love, Cat so nailed it on this post, didn’t she?!
Here’s to experimenting our way through the adventures life brings… <3
Oh, yes, my eternally endless to-do list… procrastination reigns! Thank you for this. I’m dumping the washing up in favour of tackling my costings spreadsheets. With a rather lovely glass of prosecco…. Well, a girl’s gotta have a reward for taking on the big stuff!
I la la loooove how you roll, Sharon! You better believe you deserve a reward every damn time you push through the big AND little stuff. No accomplishment is too little to celebrate!
Here’s a lil clink, clink {sheers} coming out ya! To you and your badass status…
You’re the most inspiring BADASS!! Transparency is contagious..
ALL LOVE, Elissa Siferd
Awww, thanks for that EPIC feedback, Elissa! Here’s to sharing the transparency germs… ; ) TONS of love coming right back at ya, girl…
Hi, Cat (and Dre),
I’m having a great week but I SO needed to hear this today! I already took a short walk before I even left this comment ?
Thanks for the super content and I love your site.
Sue
Thanks for the comment love, Sue! I’m off to get my walk on in a bit too. Small things make the biggest differences. BAM!