Dan W Bliss

Are you focused?

Many people have told me that I am very focused.  When people say this, they typically mean that I concentrate well on the immediate task at hand.  While this is generally true, there are two entirely different types of focus that are equally, if not more, important for business success.

I like to think of focus as having three distinct levels.  Skill in all three areas can allow you to become extremely effective.  Deficiency in just one can be quite detrimental.

The 3 levels of focus are:

Task
In today’s technology age, focusing on a task has become increasingly more difficult.  Cell phones, emails, text messages and tweets are major distractions that can destroy momentum.  Time management experts might classify these interruptions as things that are seemingly urgent, but unimportant.  For some reason, we all feel the urge to take calls and reply to messages as they come in.

Most people are very capable of focusing on a specific task once they get started on it.  The biggest problem is sticking to it without distraction.

To overcome this, turn off your phone and avoid your email.  Block off periods of time where you can work on your immediate project without interruption.  If it helps you to listen to music or a TV in the background, that’s fine.  You’ll be amazed at how much you can achieve.

Vision
To achieve most goals, you must have a singular vision.  Set a clear goal and create a defined plan for achieving it.

Many entrepreneurs have so many responsibilities, and are pulled in so many directions, that it’s difficult to stay on track.  Plus, there are many temptations that lure entrepreneurs into non-core projects.

It’s up to you to be disciplined.  Stick to the plan.  Yes, it’s OK to brainstorm on crazy ideas for achieving your goals, but you must always remain true to the overall vision.

Emotion
This is an area of focus that people don’t often consider.  Struggling with the other types of focus might slow you down by making you less efficient, but your emotional focus can break your business.

It is imperative that you maintain the enthusiasm and attitude necessary to achieve your goals.  Building a business is damn hard work, and it can be trying at times.  You will be tested monthly, weekly and even daily.  Your full commitment to your business is the key to its survival and prosperity.

I recently took a half-day for personal time to reflect and rejuvenate.  I find that doing this from time-to-time allows me to appreciate the big picture and maintain my emotional focus.

Amid the chaos of running a business, take a step back to assess your focus on all three levels.  If you can master your focus, your goals will become easier to see.