What I know about: Keeping your Focus.

Do you ever think:
‘There are too many things going on!’
Or
‘Man, I cannot focus on what needs to happen right now!’

Sometimes, this feeling can go on for days if you don’t own the creative ideas. I used to write lists in a book; then, I would close the book and never look at the list again. It really didn’t work for me because I was always operating in different time frames. Today, tomorrow, next week or next year.

How I operate now is, I have several white boards in my office. Each white board covers a different moment in time. For example, they are broken out by today, this week, this year and 3 years down the road. I use this method because, I like to see what is bouncing around in my head out there to see; and erase it when it’s done. I like to be able to be objective, and pivot as needed.

Throughout the day I will check in with myself on these whiteboards: have I done what I need to do today? Have I taken the necessary next steps in order to move something forward? Are the conversations/emails I am having in sync with my long-term goals?

What’s on my white boards can be operational, accounting, insurance, leases, IT modifications… It may also include clients I want to get to know better, or vendors I would like to have a better relationship with.

Sometimes, I just add randoms: thoughts, ideas and research I would like to pursue later to get them out of my head, it helps keep me on task, and remind myself that not every email or telephone call is for an immediate result. Some are starting conversations and finding connections, some are about helping others to connect and share information.

The last board, which I think is the most important, covers the long-term plan with high level descriptions of what you sell and what are building to ensure you are on target and have a clear direction.

It is here and accessible. The information is critical to me because I move from telephone calls, to emails, to demos to meetings all of the time. I know exactly what we need to do.

Here are some examples:

Today: I will complete these tasks: go to bank, return this call

This week: I will prepare for these items for next week – set it up

This month: I will have scheduled the following items / meetings

This quarter: I will review new agreements and see if we are working out ok

This year: Overall goals for this year include:

Reduce spend by x% or $x
Increase sales by x% or $x
Hire a (insert position)
Obtain funding for (insert option)
Modify website
Open up a 2nd location

The daily work, the weekly work and the annual work all contribute to the overall ongoing success of my long-term goals. Where do I want the company to be in 3 years? Each day, I move my company forward toward the 3 years goal! I don’t have to wonder what I am doing, I know what I am doing, why I am doing it, and it saves me time by stay focused!