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Keep your’ eye on the ball… but don’t be afraid to wander!

Written by: Ed Drozda

Article Overview: Distraction is both an impediment and a catalyst for growth. Knowing when to hunker down and avoid the barrage is essential; there are times when the distraction is just too much. But then again we need to appreciate that distraction can also fuel our enthusiasm and of course it is imperative that we are aware of the world around us; there is no escaping it- it has a tremendous impact on our business.

Keep your’ eye on the ball… but don’t be afraid to wander!

Omarosa, you’re fired... say Brent that goes for you too and while I am at it CAROLYN YOU’RE FIRED as well… Whoa wait a minute did you say Carolyn? Just when you thought it is safe to go back into the boardroom the walls come tumbling down. Yes it is true, Carolyn Kepcher the prim yet feisty boardroom colleague of reality TV The Apprentice fame has been fired. I hear that she was spending more time enjoying the lime-light created by her bosses show than on the golf-courses she ran for him. Hmm! I don’t know about you but I would be more than a bit distracted by the wonders of fame that caught Carolyn’s eye.

Distractions come in all shapes and sizes and they are everywhere. For me, a self-employed, work out of my home sort of guy, distractions are a challenge I face every day (I should add I am no stranger to succumbing to them now and then as well). Face it, life is more than just work after all. Whether you live to work or work to live, it is not always easy to maintain your focus.

Focus Pocus
So how do we maintain your focus? You might start by noting that distractions are not all bad; it’s a matter of timing and priority. If a golfer chose to focus on the view rather than the ball, his game would surely reflect it. When he is swinging his club he knows that his priority lies in focusing on the ball. However, between shots the view may serve to soothe and compose him; the distraction may actually improve his game. In fact if you focus too intently you may be at greater risk of failure. People who bury themselves too deeply in their work may not be able to observe what is going on in the environment around them. When focus becomes tunnel vision you are at a disadvantage. Your livelihood depends upon your ability to be aware of and responsive to your employees, clients and your’ environment.

The Big Picture
Perhaps the real question is how do you balance the need to focus with the need to be open to the stream of information that bombards you each day? The answer is to focus on the big picture; to appreciate the big picture requires that you observe (and filter) the daily information stream and at the same time maintain a close connection with your core purpose. Yes, you will still need to apply deeper focus on particular tasks; big picture focus is not a substitute for applied focus. Focusing on the big picture keeps you aligned with your strategic purpose while reminding you of the importance of being responsive to the external and internal changes that impact your business. This approach can bring a bit more sensibility and harmony to the task of mapping out the direction your business is moving in.

So go ahead and play the game and while you are at it enjoy the view. Think of the view as a bonus rather than a distraction. When you need to bury your head into the details, do it (it is important) but remember to always keep the big picture in mind. I imagine that is exactly what Carolyn was doing while she was wandering around.

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Article Tags: barrage, catalyst, distraction, impediment



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Re: Does a New Company need a "Big" PR firm? - I agree with SHri, it really depends on the target audience and how much service you really need. if you are doing National campaign than you want a firm that has the National contacts. Lots of smaller companies dont have as many resources or connections. Many firms are going to a pay for performance model which I think will do the PR and advertising industry good. no more $5000 retainers for sending out a couple of press releases - no matter how well written or targeted! if they dont get picked up, they dont get paid. J
How do you refresh yourself? - I feel that the only way to work to my full potential is if I take breaks. If I don't then my mind usually tends to wander and completing any tasks on hand takes twice as long. For breaks I'll usually go outside, walk my dog, get a bite to eat, listen to music, clean, watch a movie, take a nap or hang out with friends. =)
Using youtube disadvantages? - Youtube embedded players play instantly. Good. However, if you use a youtube embedded player on your business website and click it twice, it takes you away from your site and on to youtube's where a prospective buyer can wander endlessly and perhaps never return. Good or bad? Does anyone know how to alter the html so that it plays only and doesn't link to youtube?
Re: help wanted in u.k. - Hi Brendan, Please dont apologize for feeling like you dont know or understand enough business. At least you know you have some things to learn and are willing to do that. One of the best things you can do write now is start studying business plans and learning about market research. You can find some amazing resources online and at the library. Before you spend the money on a patent you can be gathering crucial data and testing the viability of the product. One of my favourite resources is a book called "The Art of the Start". Guy K. (I dont know how to spell his last name). You can also visit a local enterprise centre/business centre. I'm sure you have one close by. They can help you on a personal level to know what steps to take to start. good luck. We are here - we just need to know how to best help. Thanks for writing back!


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