Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I too have had trouble with the focus issue. Things that I do that have evolved are these:

When surfing, if I see a site that looks interesting, I right click on it and create a shortcut to it on my desktop. When I have some time to look at the site, I will add it to my Favorites or delete it. I also often end up making a folder on my desktop to drag shortcuts into. This helps me keep "like kind" shortcuts together and keeps the desktop from getting too cluttered. More often than not, if after a few weeks I haven`t taken the time to look at the site, it will lose it`s appeal when it isn`t so bright and shiny. At that point, I`ll usually just delete it. But this helps me not feel like I`m "losing out" on something while staying on task.

I have a voice recorder that I have with me at all times. If I have an idea while I`m driving, in the store, whatever, I tell it to my machine. Then when I get back to my desk, I jot them down. This is a REALLY big help. (It`s also a great way to remember the name and artist of a song I want to listen to on Rhapsody once I`m back home at my computer)

I have a subscription to PC Magazine. First thing I do is look through the table of contents and write on the cover the pages of articles I am interested in. As I read each one, I cross the number off the cover. If I see an idea, a new software, tip or trick, I tear the page out of the magazine, circling the part that got my attention. Then I have a folder for these sheets that I will go into at least every other week. Again, I still get to read stuff that I like, but often I end up throwing away the paper.

Anything else I can think of is industry specific, so I won`t go into those. Hope these help. And know that you all help me too. Like I said, even with all of this, I still struggle with focus. Email is big problem for me. I continuously have to unsubscribe myself from sites because I just don`t have time to get into them all.

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Pat Palmer
Accutrack Business Solutions
Working with You to Keep Your Organization on Track
407-957-4140

In addition to all that has been posted on this topic - I have found that keeping a personal recorder with me at all times, has really helped capture my thoughts or discoveries.  While I am driving, I have come across a possible new client or thought of new ways to look at an issue.  Then I can just record my thought and download the audio to my pc.  The recorder I use, has 3 separate folders and holds up to 8 hours of recordings.  That is plenty for me each week.

Hope this has helped.

Pam

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Pamela Akkerman (Web Executive Assistant)
Specializing in Office Management.

Couple of  good  blogs that I read...

Steve Rubel - Micro Persuasion (Online Marketing)
Tech Crunch - (Tech Start up news)
semoz.com blog - Search engine optimization news

Google reader is good to use, ugly looking but lets you get everything in one place.

Thank you all for the great suggestions. I will give some a try - already started on the Excel spreadsheet to keep things organized. I also like the idea of the recorder, although I have my Palm Pilot with me all the time - so if I think of something, then I write it down. May not be the most efficient method, but it works for me.

Again, keep the ideas coming...

ps. Not sure who suggested the use of Google Reader...big mistake!! I am totally addicted to it now...lol...that was a great suggestion. Thanks!


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Andre Costa DaCosta Chocolates, LLC www.DaCostaChocolates.com

Regarding focus:  An interesting thing has been happening for me. But first, some very short background. Friday, I had my last day at a job I had had fore more than 23 years. I am going to start a dog-related business and have already done quite a lot of prep work. I THOUGHT I would be able to take a break and just relax for a month or so before I devoted ALL my time to my new business. BUT, that isn`t to be. Here`s why: I know, without a doubt, that I am going to be successful because my business idea is unique and a service many, many people would use. Now, I don`t know all the details yet, like where it`s going to be, but the fact that I KNOW it`s going to work is leaving me open to the many opportunities that present themselves. Things that seem totally unrelated actually are related and are helping me attain my goal. An example: I was invited to a party. I waffled about going, but decided to go for it. While there, I was talking to a man I know named John. We talked about my business. He said "Before you do anything or make any agreement with anyone about anything related to your business, let me draw up the papers for you. I am an attorney, you know." Then he added: "At no charge." So going to a party got me a lawyer who will do my legal contract(s) at no charge. Another example: My nephew was talking to me about MY Space and said I ought to go on it sometime. So, whatever, I did. While just playing around, I found myself at a site of a new buisness (related to mine) that was having its grand opening. I met one of the owners, we chatted, we talked about the ways we could help each other and, since he had just done it, he offered to "show me the ropes" of all the necessary steps I would need to take to up and running. So a simple visit to My Space gave me a valuable resource. For me, my focus is on the fact that Sally`s Place will be a huge success. And nearly every day something else happens that is destined to help make Sally`s so popular and financially solvent. I just can`t help but to move forward every day. As I said, it`s very interesting. It`s energising and exciting too, so much so that I feel I can hardly contain myself. SG