Getting Back on Track

“Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.” ~~Will Rogers~~

Staying focused seems to be one of my biggest challenges. And, from what I read on a regular basis, it’s clear that it’s not just me! My post yesterday (here) describes a planning tool I use to help stay organized and make good choices about how to use my time… but it doesn’t always help me stay off the web, and focused on more critical (or more lucrative) tasks. I’ve described techniques in the past; Aligned Thinking, and Celestine Prophecy-like focused energy to name two… and when I’m in total “production mode” these work and work well… but what happens when distractions get the better of you? What happens when you’re not feeling motivated and you’d rather spend some time on Zappos, Twitter, or Facebook? I want to know what works for you. How do you maintain focus and stay productive especially when you just don’t feel like it? Do you use a self-reward system? Do you listen to loud music? Do you allow yourself the distraction knowing that you’ll pick back up soon? Is it easy for you to recognize, or admit to yourself, that you’ve lost focus? And, once you’ve realized you’re not focused, how do you get back on track? Thanks in advance for your comments! Let’s help each other out!

Focus: Taking a Targeted Approach

“We have more ability than will power, and it is often an excuse to ourselves that we imagine that things are impossible.” ~~François de la Rochefoucauld~~

I’ve spent a great deal of time over the last few weeks talking with job seekers about the importance of being “targeted” in their search. You need to know who your target audience is and tailor your message to them. You need to be targeted in your networking efforts, targeted in your conversations and you need to target your value proposition, your cover letter, and even your resume. Of course, that got me thinking about myself and my approach to my own business and, frankly, my life in general.

I know that staying focused is critical to my success. I know that there are so many things I want to do, and it is so easy to get distracted. I can spend hours on twitter in the name of organizing my lists believing that will help me be more productive later… and while that is absolutely the truth, it is likely not the best use of my time in the middle of my work day… What if, instead, every conversation, every email, every internet search, every Facebook post, every tweet, (read: every effort) was targeted and focused on one single desired outcome?

What if you took a few minutes each morning to decide what you would like to achieve, and then focus all of your efforts for that day on achieving it? That could be really powerful! First step: figuring out what you want to achieve…

Goals: A Path to Fulfillment

“The more intensely we feel about an idea or a goal, the more assuredly the idea, buried deep in our subconscious, will direct us along the path to its fulfillment.” ~~Earl Nightingale~~

I just completed the first module of a telecoaching / training program called “Aligned Thinking” given by Dr. Jim Steffen.* It’s a multi-session, weekly call that is said to help participants align EVERY action to the things they really want from life and from work. The first module is about setting a personal mission statement, and as I’ve started my work on the module, I’ve come to realize that while I have great goals, personally and professionally, I’ve never really thought about how they complement one another. I’m interested in seeing how this all plays out and am curious about whether or not I will change my work habits as a result of my personal goals. I think I’ve done a great job of creating a work/life balance, and the exercise of writing down my personal goals, just like I have with my professional goals, should prove to be very empowering. It’s an interesting process, and as I go through it, I’m likely to share more…

Have you spent time thinking about how your personal goals affect your professional goals or your work habits? Have you taken the time to write down your personal goals, as well as your professional ones? Are all (and yes, I mean ALL) of your actions aligned with those goals? This is somewhat new for me… and I am excited about the possibilities.

*For information on Aligned Thinking or Steffen, Steffen & Associates, please visit: http://www.ssainternational.com/