“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” – Mark Twain
Every successful business professional and entrepreneur gets what Mark Twain is saying. Unfortunately, it becomes challenging to focus on the simple first task with all the distractions and attention-stealers. All the daily interruptions from landlines, cell phones, email and computers. All the things that vie for your attention, break your concentration, interrupt your work flow and derail your productivity.
And let’s face it. The minute you open your web browser to perform a simple search on Google for one particular piece of information, you get get derailed.
30 minutes go by. Several browser tabs are open. A few cool and interesting resources later…And you still haven’t found what you’re looking for. Yet, somehow you’ve managed to read four different articles that you just had to share with colleagues and friends. (Very interesting articles but not immediately relevant to the task at hand.)
Then you wonder, “Now what was it I was looking for?”
Bottom line: you’re challenge to get the most important thing you need done at the moment, whether you’re an entrepreneur or business professional. And after the time has gone by, you’re still at step one—the small little thing you were going to do first!
Imagine what it would be like to take back control of your life. How much easier it would be get more done. So you can appreciate what you’ve accomplished at the end of the day, every day. So you can finally deliver what you promised your customers on time (better yet, wow them by being early!). So you can use the time you saved to be more creative or invest in your most important relationships.
Introducing part 1 of the 21 proven ways to help you eliminate distractions, take control and get more done now. And if you really like these, you might consider downloading the 2-page checklist for easy reference located at the end of this post. I keep mine in my business playbook for easy access.
#1. Access Just-In Time Tools
Look at your computer screen right now. How many applications including browser “tabs” do you have open? For what you’re trying to accomplish, are you using all of these? Didn’t think so. Close the ones you don’t need. You’ll feel less cluttered and pressed to get it all done when quite frankly many of those items aren’t on your “To Day” list. Access only the tools you need to get the task done.
#2. Let the Post-It Nudge You
Write the one thing you intend to do on a small post-it. Now put it on the upper right corner of your computer screen. It’s annoying because you sense that it’s there. But that’s why it works! You’ll be tempted to move it but that when you notice what you wrote—remember the task? Then you’ll look at your computer screen and realize your mind drifted to an un-related web page. Save minutes now versus realizing hours later that half the day is gone.
#3. Turn Off Your Cell Phone (and office phone)
How many times have you had your cell phone and your landline ring while you’re in the middle of solving a simple problem? Give what you’re working 100% attention. Who ever is calling can leave you a message. That’s why the Technology gods invented voice mail. And oldie technology but still a goodie.
#4. Put Your Mind in the Mood
Stimulate your mind and spirit with music that sparks creativity and energy to get more done. Baroque music or light jazz works well. Your objective is to leverage the rhythm and the beat (not listen to the words). Here’s a live music station you might want to check out: http://www.1.fm/Station/Baroque/Default.aspx.
#5. Trigger Your Productivity Zone
Put your headphones on and block out the noise. It’s makes it easier and faster to get into your head space and begin to focus. For me, it feels like a protective force-field to ward off the attention-stealers! It may take a few tries to get used to the sensation. But once you get past the initial awkwardness, you’ll notice a shift in perspective. Plus if you’re working at a café, airport, etc, it deters the friendly types from approaching you! Get into your zone.
#6. Turn Off Instant Messaging
That’s right. Instant doesn’t mean important. So yes, close out Skype, Facebook and Tweetdeck for the duration of the task or project. It’ll be there when you’re done. Oh and just because a tool you’re using wasn’t on this list, the idea still applies. Make it go away—temporarily.
#7. Do It First Thing Early
Get up and get going before the break of dawn. Remember the saying, “the early bird gets the worm”. There’s something about working early that makes you feel like you’ve got a leg up on everyone else. The world seems so still and you’ve got a head start! Shhh, let’s keep it between us. The secret to making this tactic successful is to avoid checking email. Once you check email you immediately get distracted and distraught by everyone else’s priorities. Invest in yourself first.
#8. Disable Email Notification
News flash! People love sending email, including spammers and those who prefer to email when calling would be more appropriate. Unless you delete all your email accounts, you’ll always receive email. Once you accept that, you’ll realize there’s no point in being notified. No need for pop ups, email envelopes in your computer tray or cutesy sounds. That’s so 90′s when the technology was new. Turn off notification. It’s disruptive and annoying. Unless you’ve delegated your inbox, the email will be there waiting for you, demanding your attention. Remember, you’re driving this train not your inbox and the people who have “dropped” you a few messages!
#9. Magnify the Micro-steps
When you’re taking new action, it can feel like as if it takes a long time just to get one simple thing done. What helps is to list the micro-step, including the decision points. This method get you focused on doing versus thinking about what to do next. Place a check mark or cross off each micro-step when you’re done. Do this step by step and you’ll feel like you’ve made progress…Ahhh.
#10. Count Down Your Success
Get a digital PC or physical timer. Set it to countdown from 30 minutes and then beep. You’ll experience how quickly time flies and feel as if you just got started. Let’s say the timer goes off and you’re not done. Reflect on how you would approach the task differently. Consider magnifying the micro-steps. Reset the timer. Attempt again. This is how adopting good habits begin.
Pick one or more of these proven ways to creatively eliminate distractions. Use them to accomplish that most important first step, then the next step and then the step after that. And before you know it, you’ll get more done in 30 minutes than most people do in 2 hours.
[Note - The remaining 11-21 proven tactics will be published shortly.]
What proven tactics have you used to handle distractions, take back control and get more done?
Want to print the 2-page checklist? Grab your complimentary copy of “21 Proven Ways To Eliminate Distractions Creatively And Get More Done” checklist.
