2 Simple Strategies to Stay Focused and Achieve Goals

One of the biggest obstacles that keeps us from moving forward and reaching our goals is the constant interruptions and distractions we face each day.  In our modern world of 24 hour media and communication it is no wonder so many of us have a hard time achieving our goals as our attention is continuously being diverted.  Concentrating on our top priorities has never been more difficult. 

To combat the constant struggle of interruptions and distractions I’d like to offer two simple ideas that I’ve seen work. 

#1 Eat the Frog First

I’ve written about this in a previous blog on 10/6/2011 but one of the most important things we can do is to “eat the frog” first or in other words, complete the nastiest and most undesirable but important task of the day first.  When we do this, it will allow us to focus better throughout the remainder of our day because we will no longer have the “frog” croaking in the back of our mind.  “Frogs” can be a major distraction and when we postpone them and put them off, they often sidetrack us or keep us from doing our best.  Getting in the habit of eating the frog first, or getting the most important and difficult task of the day out of the way will help us to be less distracted. 

#2 Focus Sessions

What time of the day are you at your best?  Is it the morning right when you wake up?  Or maybe it is mid-morning, the afternoon, or right before you go to bed.  Whatever time of day you are normally at your best, set aside daily some time for a “focus session.”  These are times when you make yourself unavailable to the outside world, where you completely disconnect and remove all distractions including turning off your phones and wireless connections on all of your media devices.  This is where you set aside an hour or two to focus just on your goals and top priorities without distractions and interruptions.  This may require you to put a sign on your office or bedroom door that tells others when you will be available next.  You will be amazed by what you can accomplish and achieve if you have the discipline to give yourself even just a half hour each day free from distractions.

Don’t allow the distractions and interruptions of our modern world keep you from achieving your goals and reaching your potential.  Find ways to overcome them by utilizing proven strategies such as eating the frog first and holding focus sessions each day.  As we discipline ourselves, and accept the fact that constant distraction and interruptions do negatively impact our performance, we can begin to change and improve our results and satisfaction in life.      

Do You Have Rhino Skin?

This blog has been enhanced and was originally posted 7/17/2008

In his book, The Other 90%, author Robert Cooper suggests that we all need to develop the skin of a rhino in order to truly reach our untapped potential. The reasoning behind this he explains is because rhinos have very thick, strong skin.  The author suggests that having a thin skin often increases troubles in life and distracts us from what is truly important such as achieving our goals.  Rhino skin however allows us to avoid such distractions and remain focused. The following are some suggestions the author offers in his book that will help us develop rhino skin.

1. Don’t Take Things Personally

It is an inevitable fact; we cannot please everyone in life. Almost always someone in our life will be upset or angry with us and we have to learn that’s okay. We must understand that when people are upset it is often not about us but usually more about them. Human beings by nature are fickle, dynamic, unreasonable, emotional, and passionate and thus often distort reality, get caught up in the heat of the moment, or do not say what they truly mean. Taking things personally is senseless when we realize we are all human and prone to mistakes and that we all have different opinions, emotions, and outlooks on life. Therefore, trying to please everyone will result in unnecessary stress, disappointment, and frustration. Avoiding taking things personally will simplify our lives, allow us to use our energy on more important matters, and ultimately make us happier.

2. Carefully Analyze Feedback

It is easy to jump to conclusion or view any form of feedback as criticism since so often feedback is given in ineffective and/or inappropriate ways. However, when receiving feedback from others, we must remain as objective as possible. We must strive to determine if the feedback truly is based on genuine concern and support, as often is the case. With this feedback, we must discover, accept, and embrace the truth that may be there and then use that feedback constructively to motivate us to improve our performance and be better people.

If we feel feedback is simply blatant negative criticism, we should let it go and not internalize it. We do not need to let others weaken our inner confidence through criticism or disrupt our focus on our goals. And we cannot afford to be offended, hold a grudge, or try to get even when we receive unjust criticism since doing so only slows us down in maximizing our potential.

3. Talk Straight

What this simply means is that we need to be truthful as this is the best way to build trusting relationships. We also should avoid withholding information for fear of the impact it may have on others. By talking straight we will save time and breakdown barriers that often impede otherwise meaningful relationships.  Talking straight means we trust others with our true thoughts, opinions, and feelings.  This can be scary at first because we know people will likely regularly disagree with us but as we develop this skill it will pay huge dividends. Sharing our truth will allow us to be stronger leaders and live more in harmony with our true selves and actually help us build successful relationships when all things are said and done.

So, do you have rhino skin?  Developing thick, strong rhino skin by following these three suggestions found in The Other 90% will truly make us more effective and successful individuals and leaders. Learning to not take things personally, carefully analyzing feedback, and talking straight may make us standout in today’s thin skinned society however it will also help us achieve our full potential.

Death by Meetings

Meetings seem to be an inevitable part life.  And for the most part, many of us dread them.  In his book, Death by Meeting, author Patrick Lencioni details why meetings are so distasteful for most of us and how to change that—making them actually enjoyable and something people look forward to.  Much like the author shares in the book, I have witnessed both good and bad meetings and believe they can bring about tremendous results or near death experiences.   

So what is missing from meetings that make us as a whole dread them so much?  The author provides the answers and it is simply a combination of a lack of drama and/or a lack of structure. 

Lack of Drama

Most of us have been forced at some time or another to sit through meetings that are incredibly boring.  Often these meetings require us to listen to a lecturer or they are a meeting where input really isn’t allowed whether it is implicitly or explicitly expressed.  Meetings without some level of discussion, debate, and even conflict are boring and rarely bring about any kind of effective results.  Good meetings are not limited to just reporting but include “drama” through open dialogue on important and sometimes even controversial topics.  Drama is a great way to get participants in meetings engaged and interested.  Hence, drama, or a level of varying opinions, conflict, and debate, need to not only be encouraged in meetings but become a mandatory part of them. 

Lack of Structure

Other meetings seem to lack a purpose as participants jump from topic to topic, most of which are irrelevant for the entire group.  Because of a lack of structure and of an understanding of what is to be achieved during the meeting, little is accomplished and most leave feeling as if it was a complete waste of time. I know I have been in these types of meetings on several occasions and this lack of structure and focus make meetings miserable.  Successful meetings on the other hand are those that have a specific purpose or objective rather than randomly talking about anything that comes to mind or having everyone listen to those who have the most to say.

This book also offers a set of 4 specific types of meetings each organization should hold which are a daily check-in, tactical, strategic, and off-site meetings.  The book offers the primary purpose of each meeting, the amount of time they should typically last as well as how often they should be held.      

In the end, I believe this book encourages all organizations to have a strategy when it comes to meetings.  All successful institutions need meetings and collaboration to reach goals.  Learning to have powerful meetings where real work is accomplished and people are engaged and involved can help any organization reach its goals and potential.     

To see how I rated this book click here           

Never Stop Dreaming

Do you remember the good old days when you feared nothing and truly believed anything was possible?  The days when you dreamed of doing great things and perhaps even somehow changing the world?  So what happens to us as we age?  I’m still trying to figure it out but I’ve learned some things as I’ve gotten older. 

#1  Small things often matter more than big things.  When I was younger I thought I really needed to do something unbelievable or out of this world to really change it but I’ve seen simple, small acts seem to have a more powerful effect on others.  We do not need to do something huge to have a lasting impact on this world.  Small, sincere acts done from the heart are really what brings about change.    

#2  Innocence can be restored.  A big reason we dreamed bigger when we were young is because we were a little more naïve to our current reality and the ways of the world.  I am convinced however that innocence can be restored in this regard as we pursue our goals and dreams.  Though doubt has perhaps increased in our life, our ability and wisdom to succeed has also grown.  If we can just exercise a little bit of faith by pushing forward, we can realize our dreams and regain the excitement and a level of innocence we once had. 

#3  You are never too old.  Sometimes we hold back because we feel it is too late but this couldn’t be further from the truth.  I’m amazed and inspired by individuals late in life who obtain a college degree, sky-dive, or accomplish something else they’ve always wanted to do.  Age doesn’t matter as much as our will to succeed.  We are never too old to live and go after our dreams. 

The innocence of youth and the ability to dream can still be ours.  No matter our age or doubts, let’s all go after our dreams!  And never stop…         

Finding Motivation

Motivating ourselves and others to be our best and put forth a perfect effort every day can be challenging. For this reason we need different strategies and techniques that will help us to perform our best each day.  One of the most powerful tools to motivate ourselves and others is through measurement.  

If we are unsure how we are doing or where we stand in comparison to others it can be difficult to push ourselves to be our very best.  Imagine a basketball game with no scoreboard.  How engaged do you think the crowd or even the players on the court would be without it after a few minutes?  Or what about a classroom with no benchmarks, grades, or a method to determine performance and what is being learned?  How about an orchestra with no measurements, positions or chairs, or even a crowd’s applause?  If we took measurement out of our life, where would we be?    

It is easy to see why one of best ways to inspire us to be better people is through measurements. We like to feel like we are making progress and doing a good job.  Without at least some form of measurement it is easy to feel uninspired and even bored. 

In the work place, one of the leading causes for job dissatisfaction and disengagement is due to a lack of measurement.  Without being able to know where we stand or how we are doing, our jobs can feel pointless and our efforts meaningless.  Adding measurement at work is a key factor in helping others feel they are making a real contribution at work.  The same is true in any aspect of our life.  

So, is there something in your life that you dread or do not look forward to?  My guess is that one reason why is because you currently aren’t measuring yourself.  If this is the case, be creative and figure out a way to add some form of measurement.  Whether it is a clock to time yourself, or the number of smiles and positive comments you receive from others, or even giving yourself or inviting someone else to give you a grade once the task is complete will bring an added level of motivation and desire.  At the end of the day, we need to figure out a way to add measurement even more in to our life. 

As we add measurement in to our lives it will help motivate and inspire us to be our best selves and put forth our best effort every single day in all that we do.