Five tips to tame your distractions
A Leader’s greatest asset is the ability to focus on key initiatives to ensure teams, services, products and ideas are flowing and growing. While the skill of focus is critical, so too is the ability to eliminate distraction from your day. In my work, I am fortunate to witness the habits of highly successful executives, below are 5 key practices they use to minimize distraction:
1. Leverage your peak time
When are you at your sharpest, most intuitive – morning, afternoon, night? This is your peak time. Set aside three hours during this period for your planning, focus on core activities and actions that move your vision/goal, critical items forward.
2. Incorporate Technology
Make sure you are using software, apps and hardware to support your visions, goals and results. However, the minute technology starts running you, step back and assess “what is the most productive use of MY time to achieve results?” and adjust accordingly.
3. Release Perfection
If you tend to focus on getting it right vs. moving it forward, this is the start of the slippery slope to procrastination. Remember, the reason you are successful and competent is because you are a learner. Your strength is to find the “best way” not the “right way” to achieve results.
4. Master the Quick Reply
If you receive a multitude of emails, chats, posts, etc., make a habit of responding at specific times during the day, like 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. Come up with a quick reply, for example, “Thank you for the update.” Don’t get seduced into thinking that you have to tell everyone what to do or make small changes that don’t really effect the outcome. As you read, focus on the “what” and not the “how.” Only focus on “the how” if you are directly responsible for doing the activities to achieve the results.
5. Close Your Door
For one hour a day, close the door to your office, or put headphones on to focus on being productive rather than busy. Get the real work done that will make the greatest difference for your goals and objectives. Be clear, have a plan, and get it done.
Tell me what you think — how do you battle distractions? Share your tip with me on twitter – @bobbiegoheen using #distractionbusters.
