Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Someone mentioned how important it is to write down your goals. I couldn`t agree more. One thing to keep in mind is this: If your "goal" takes more than one step to complete, you are MUCH more likely to put it off. As you write down short- and long-term goals, be sure to break them down into steps that you can accomplish in less than an hour.

I don`t know about you, but I`m always more encouraged by lots of check marks on a page!

Also, if your husband isn`t as encouraging as you would like, be sure to collect a number of unconditional supporters - virtual or real. Having a network to offer ideas, cheer you on, and celebrate successes will create the feedback loop you seem to be missing.

Keep at it!

-------------------------

Is your home office driving you crazy?

Get a free 8-page workbook to help create spacial sanity. http://www.inspiredhomeoffice.com

Hello,

I am only going to share with you what works for me. Plan your day the night before. Make out a list of things to do Today! Make that your goal. Everytime you accomplish a task check it off. Planning and setting goals are very important. Sometimes no matter how old we are speaking for myself is getting back to simple basics If I don`t my life  goes into chaos. Since Oct. 05, 2005 I have been working on my goal and that is my online business. Is it a priorty? Yes. Can I make excuses why I can`t work on my web site, very easily. I could use the excuse of being 100% disabled and I suffer from cronic pain everyday of my life. Or I can remember why I wanted my online business. Then I remember it is not a want it is a need. That is what motivate`s me. Sometimes I use anger which can be a key factor if use positively for self motivation. You will be surprise how much you can accomplish turning negative anger into positive energy. I am proud to say that my online business is open and the best part for me is the feeling of accomplishment. Business is slow, so I try new idea`s and StartUpNewsletter is great for idea`s and learn. If you want something bad enough you will make the time for it and commit your all to it. Or maybe it`s not what you want after all.

 

 

-------------------------

Yours Truly, Rose M. Palinkas, secondhandroseboutique.com

Well, you know me, always looking at things from a different angle, trying to solve the real problem.

 

I feel there is more behind the scenes than are being said.

I can pull the quotes or should i say reasons and excuses.

Let me ask you this...and everybody as far as that goes...

What is your purpose in life ??????

In your case it just doesn`t seem that your business is your purpose in life.

I have my purpose in life, the reason why I want to live the rest of my life.

 

Now if the purpose of your business is to simply  make a few extra dollars  then let it be just that  and  don`t try to make it out to be more, for what ever reason.

it just seems that if you had the desire and conviction this wouldn`t be an issue, but ( yes I always have a but) But if you do have the desire and everything is just a distraction for you then take the advice that has been given. 

I would also like to add (as you mentioned) take baby steps.  You need to focus on one small task at a time.  select a task, start it and don`t stop until you have completed it.

With me, My desire is so strong towards my purpose in life  that I will actually get anxious if I don`t make enough effort towards my goals.

Good luck and if you need any help feel free to email me and maybe we can get you going in the direction you want to be going.

 

Mike

Well said, Mike. If you`re not living your passion, you simply won`t have the drive. I couln`t agree more.

Sometimes focus, however, is simply a matter of bioliogy. Until I was diagnosed with attention problems, I had no idea why I couldn`t stay on-task like everyone else.

I guess it all depends on the person!

-------------------------

Is your home office driving you crazy?

Get a free 8-page workbook to help create spacial sanity. http://www.inspiredhomeoffice.com

thanks so much everybody for your opinions.  i know i have problems with focusing maily because the tasks at hand are time consuming and when i finally get started on something, i HATE to be interuppted.  i am usually out of bed by 8-8:30 and check my email while sipping my coffee.  IF there is something in there that takes me to a different place on the internet, then i generally get sucked in.  if there is no new e-mail, i usually sit there, kinda waiting for some to wake up.

that being said, i have spent many hours learning the fly-lady system, and trying to incorporate it into my life.  in certain areas it has worked.  in others, such as `just do it` it hasn`t.  my main dilemma comes from the fact that there is more concentration on the task, (and time) that i am ready to give until every little thing is out of the way.

by then the family is home and needing their attention.  i guess i just need to know how to block large time frames out of my day and to then concentrate on the task at hand.

your ideas are wonderful!!  Thanks for all your help!!

Have a great day!!

 

-------------------------

But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrew 11:6

My suggestion is what I do for a living - hire an errand/concierge service to do the things that you are finding hard to accomplish!  Its hard working, having a family, and having so many roles to fulfill and sometimes no matter how much you plan, the best laid plans never work!  Wouldn`t it be nice to have 2 of you?  Personal Assistant, Errand & Concierge services are popping up all over the US -  I am connected to over 800 of them across the US and they are there to assist you!  Don`t be ashamed or feel guilty that you find it hard to handle everything - its more of a problem than anyone realizes or willing to admit but the trend is US!

-------------------------

Shouldn`t Life be Simple? We are the Solution to your Busy Lifestyle!

ContinentalPrintingSupplies
I have the same attitude to interruptions. I have learned, by watching my own behavior, that my attention span is about 1 to 1 and a half hours. Therefore I try to cut my tasks to that amount. But when I am distracted, I am easily derailed. I have to mentally check myself to ensure I am on the original task… of which I have scheduled an hour.

I sounds crazy, but I find myself getting more accomplished when I am in the coffee shop! OK, actually, not everything I do can be done on the computer at the local coffee shop. But I pile up all my computer activities and handle the long tasks while at the coffee shop. If I were at home, I am too distracted by home/warehouse tasks. I start out on the computer and the next thing you know, I am preparing packages for shipping. If I am not at home/warehouse, I cannot be distracted by an order (which I am excited to send out and make the customer happy). The order will be accomplished on time, just as it was scheduled… but that’s at a different time than my computer work.


-------------------------

Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

One of the best ways for me to stay focused, and concentrate on what needs to be accomplished, is giving myself permission to have time when it is NOT required that I be focused on work. 

I work very well early in the morning - so, I am usually at my computer working between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m.  I often get more done before my "office hours" kick in than I will the rest of the day.  I don`t work well late in the afternoon - I never have - so after 3:30 p.m. I give myself permission to take a nap (20 minutes will recharge my batteries), read a book/magazine, work in my garden, etc.  I don`t work in the evening, I don`t work weekends and - as far as my clients are concerned - I`m not totally focused on work on Fridays as my office is "closed" to clients.  My weekly Thursday morning "koffee klatch" with other business owners is yet another "treat" I allow myself as a reward for getting work done in a timely manner earlier in the week. If I am overwhelmed with work (especially work that should have been done earlier in the week), my "punishment" is not being allowed to take the time for my valued coffee break with friends.  The time I have "scheduled" for work is most often dedicated to work.  I have always needed a break around 10:00 a.m. - so I give myself permission to make an espresso, read the paper, wander around my garden, phone a friend or cruise a few forums online.  I need just about a 20 minute break before I`m set to go again.

Years ago I worked almost ALL the time.  What little time that was left over was my fairly pathetic "life."  I was able to be much more focused, and accomplish much more, when I made the adjustments necessary to have my work fit the life I wanted - instead of seeming to live to work. 

Like Vincent, I work best without interruptions and distractions.  Some time ago I FINALLY learned that just because a phone rings doesn`t mean I need to drop everything - losing my train of thought or the momentum built up while working on a project - to answer the thing. I tell friends that is why God invented voice mail.  Often, if complete attention is required on a complex project I will shut off the ringer and simply checck messages every couple of hours.   For all the calling person my know, I may be in a meeting, on another call, or away from the office.  That`s also why I don`t have a cell phone.  I had one for three months about ten years ago and it was an annoyance rather that a convenience.  I don`t want - or need - to be THAT connected.  I don`t need my movement through my work day interrupted THAT much.  My business was conducted very successfully for the previous 20 years without a cell phone.  Being able to work from wherever I may be at the time is a also a great benefit - and allows me to maintain the focus needed to complete a given task.  If there`s too much non-work stuff to be done around the house - creating possible distractions - I get out of the house with my PowerBook.

Once you determine what REALLY works for you it is much easier to create the daily pattern needed to accomplish your tasks.

- J.

 


-------------------------

Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!

I get distracted very easily as well. Here is what I`ve found to be very helpful.

1. Take 10 Minutes - Do this whenever you think it is most effective.  Right before "hubby" gets home or before bed.  Right down a SHORT to do list of the things that NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. Don`t make this your overall to do list.

2. Place it over the keys on your keyboard.

3. Complete these tasks before you allow yourself to do anything else

4. Then look at your overall to do list to see if there is anything else you can knock out.

5. Hang out on Start up Nation.

6. Wash, Rinse, and REPEAT.