Something that still amazes me when working with clients is how the same subject can come up with different clients over the same week.  This week it seems the focus is on how to best structure your day when you don't feel you have enough time to complete everything.  At first I thought this might have something to do with it being school holidays here in Australia, but I've just finished some mentoring calls with my clients in the US, who also seem to want to focus on this topic.

Now I don’t claim to be an expert on this topic, as I can become as easily distracted as the next person – I can be quite happy to sit and look at bright shining objects for hours or catch up with a friend for coffee all morning!  However, having said that, here are a few things I do that help me stay focused when distractions may be calling.

1.  Every Sunday evening I make a list of my Top Three Kick Butt Activities for the week that will make the greatest impact on my business and myself.  I break this down into the Top 3 Marketing Activities, Top 3 Financial Activities & Top 3 Personal Activities I want to complete in the week.  I know at the end of the week if all I do is complete these activities then I’ve had a positive impact on my business and my life.

2.  My diary is broken down into specific blocks of activities for a full year.  I know what days are my business development days, what days are my 1:1 client calls, what days are for meetings, and what days are my networking days.  Now, don’t think I am that rigid that I can’t/don’t change things when needed - I do! But it is more around my intention of knowing what I want to focus on at a specific time or day, which brings me back to what I need to do, rather than staring at the bright shining object.

3.  The more strategic part of this is that I am clear on what my vision is for my business, and take the time each day to look at this statement.  This is something that I encourage my clients to do each day as well.  Then when requests come in, I check to see if they move me towards my vision or not.  If they don’t then it is easier for me to say NO and keep focused on the tasks at hand.

So these are a few of the things that help me stay focused in my workday. I would be interested in what you do to structure your work, so please feel free to leave your comments here as well.  Remember that your input may actually help another person in their quest to stop being blinded by the bright shining objects!