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Power Block Your Way To Focus

Written by: Laura Posey

Article Overview: I recently sent out a survey to my clients asking them about their top issues in 2010 and an amazing 73% said that “lack of focus” was a major hurdle facing them. As an entrepreneur and self-diagnosed sufferer of “bright shiny object syndrome,” I completely understand. The inability to stay focused on my goals over the course of year has derailed my plans many a time.

Power Block Your Way To Focus



I recently sent out a survey to my clients asking them about their top issues in 2010 and an amazing 73% said that “lack of focus” was a major hurdle facing them.

As an entrepreneur and self-diagnosed sufferer of “bright shiny object syndrome,” I completely understand. The inability to stay focused on my goals over the course of year has derailed my plans many a time.

However, I do have one strategy that I employ that gets me back on track every time I find myself drifting off my strategic plan*.

I call them “Power Blocks” and they are the most productive times in my life. Here’s how they work.

A Power Block is a 50-minute segment of time, scheduled on my calendar, as unbreakable as my best client appointment. During a Power Block, my job is to accomplish no more than the three most important items on my to-do list.

What makes a Power Block unique is that during that time my desk is cleared of everything that isn’t directly involved with the task at hand. In addition, the phone is off, the cell phone is off (not on vibrate), and all applications, especially email, are closed on my computer. The only thing in front of me is exactly what I’m working on.

I set a timer for 50 minutes and stop as soon as it goes off. There is something about having a defined period of time that aids in focusing and encourages you to be efficient with the time you have.

For example, I’m in a Power Block now as I write this article and the only thing I can see is my computer and the only thing open on it is Word. No exceptions. My timer reads 38 minutes left and I still have to finish the newsletter and get it uploaded before the music starts.

Implementing Power Blocks doesn’t have to be hard, but like any change, start small with them. My suggestion is to just put one Power Block into your week for the next six weeks. Don’t overdo it; let yourself adapt to having 50 minutes of focus. After six weeks, you can add in another block, practice for six weeks, etc.

Let me know how you do with your first Power Block!

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Article Tags: marketing, motivation, sales, sales tips, small business



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The Power of Ten - Do you want to save money and time? Make the most of your marketing efforts? The Power of Ten™ is about taking the concepts of repurposing and leveraging “to the max”. It allows you to innovate and discover new possibilities for any marketing you already have in place. Here’s how it works: Make a list of the most recent 10 marketing items you’ve created or paid to have created. If you don’t have any materials, you can simply list the pieces you plan on creating. Now pick one. It could be an article, ad, poster, anything you have used recently as a marketing tool. Take a fresh look at it. Brainstorm and free write until you find at least 10 different ways to use that piece. You can do this with as many pieces as you want, but for now start with just one. It’s amazing how much time, effort and money you can save using The Power of Ten™. Below is an example using The Power of Ten™ with this very article. Even a very short piece, such as this, can benefit from The Power of Ten™. Here are some ways I can use this tip: 1) It’s part of a new marketing program I’m creating that may be called Marketing Full Circle. 2) It’s on my blog. 3) I can tweet it (knowing that it will show up on LinkedIn and many other sites which display tweets). 4) I can go over to LinkedIn and post it to a group. 5) I can it to my ezine subscribers. 6) I will send it to my clients. 7) If it is a longer article, I can try submitting it to an Article Bank, or two, or three. It started out as part of an answer on Focus.com 9) Eventually it will be part of an eBook on marketing tips. 10) I mention the concept often at speaking engagements. (c)2010 Elevating Your Business What would you add to the list? How about your own? Give it a try and comment below.
Women Entrepreneur Tips - Thank you LeoOliveros, I found #4 particularly true in my case: 4. The Enterprise Must Include the Power of Power Networks. As a conductor of your own enterprise, you can not see yourself as a one-woman-show. You must choose to utilize the power people in your life, by asking for help when you need it, and effectively delegating in order to capitalize on your strengths and that of your power network. When certain experts are not represented in your power network, you must actively seek advisors or mentors and develop a team of specialists, so the benefits are received by everyone involved in the power network - the true Power of Power Networks.
Re: Quote of the Day - ?"Where focus goes energy flows." - Tony - Focus on a single task, eliminate millions of disractions
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