Focus, Focus, Focus

How many times have you heard that one of the keys to success is to focus? Well, it’s true. The hard part is doing it.

There are lots of examples in the world around us of the power of focus. Laser beams, which create enormous amounts of energy and power, are simply really focused, organized particles of light. Magnets, which can attract things they aren’t even touching which power motors that drive the world are simply organized packets of matter which concentrate all their polarity in a single direction.

Imagine what you could do if for only a short time you focused all of your energy at work in one direction. That means no outside distractions, no chats at the water cooler, no idle time spent browsing the Internet. What if you focused 100% of your day on selling? What could you accomplish?

As human beings we have an amazing capacity to achieve. If we did all that we were capable of, even for a short time, we’d be astounded at what we could accomplish.

That all sounds nice and inspirational and like something that would be good for us. But how do we do it? How do we actually accomplish what we set out to and not allow ourselves to be distracted?

Here are a few simple things you can do:

First, turn off all the “notifiers” in your office, cubicle, etc. That means the audible and visible email notifications. That means phone ringers and vibrating tones. These tiny little distractions cost us huge amounts of time each day. Studies show that when we are interrupted in deep thought or concentration that it takes 20 full minutes for us to return fully to where we were. Every little phone call or email notification costs you 20 minutes. Can you really afford to give up that much time to find out that you can get Viagra at a 40% discount online?

Second, use a tool that focuses your mind on what’s important every day. I use an electronic daily calendar and task list but I also fill out, by hand, a form every morning. On that form I have space to list my calls and appointments I planned for the day. I also have a place to write networking events I’ll attend that day, 5 existing clients I will contact, 5 new prospects I will find and 3 referral sources I will contact. I know these are the most important parts of my business and writing them out helps me spot gaps in my prospecting and follow through with people I already know. My job each day then becomes to accomplish what’s on that list before I tackle anything else. Once you’re good at focusing, you’ll have the most important work of the day done by 11am.

Third, tell everyone who usually bothers you that you will be doing some very intense work in the morning and you’d like to not be disturbed. Remember that unless you work in a hospital there are no emergencies. Hang a do not disturb sign on your door or cube as a reminder to those who abuse your time. If you work in a really noisy place, go out and sit in your car if you have to for peace. There’s a reason churches and synagogues are quiet- it takes quiet space to concentrate on important things.

Fourth, start small. Learning to concentrate and discipline yourself to accomplish great things takes times. Plan to intensely work for about 1 hour each day for a week. During that hour let nothing come between you and your goal. Nothing. Use that time to make calls, answer emails, contact new prospects or existing clients, whatever. Just work and don’t stop for anything. The next week, add a half hour to your focus time. Add an additional half hour each week until you are up to 8 hours. At that point you’ll be doing more than you ever thought possible and you’ll have scarcely noticed the process. When you can fully concentrate for 8 hours in a day you’ll never have to work more than a 40 hour week.

Take the focus challenge and watch the results come pouring in! If you’d like a copy of the Daily Prospecting Plan I use, please feel free to email me (Laura@dancingelephants.net) and I’ll send you a one.

Now, finish reading the paper (this is good stuff!) and go sell something!



Focus, Focus, Focus - To learn more about this author, visit Laura Posey's Website.

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