If you find yourself surrounded by endless opportunities and a massive to-do list, perhaps it’s time learn more about how to stay focused as a small business owner. There is always a long list of activities you could be doing to move your business forward. But that doesn’t mean you should be doing all those things. You can drive success by focusing on what you do best, and outsourcing the rest. Let’s talk about how to add real value to your business by staying focused as a small business owner.
Focus on your talent
If you are the jack of all trades in your business, you will be a master of none. Spending too much time learning every single aspect of running your business is not a good use of your time. Instead, focus on the business activities that create real results, and let others perform the tasks that are outside your strengths. When you spend more time doing what you love, and what you’re good at, you will see the results!
Focus on what matters most
Oftentimes, we get hung up on the wrong details. It’s important to pay attention to the details that improve a customer’s experience for example, but not all details bring value to your business. Avoid obsessing over perfecting the wrong details, and embrace a “good enough” mentality. Choosing a shade of yellow for your logo is a small detail that you shouldn’t obsess over. Be very intentional with where you are spending your time and energy!
Avoid squirrel syndrome
You may find yourself darting from one big idea to another, overwhelmed with all the possibilities and unsure where to start. Much like a squirrel, you may be second-guessing your decisions, and unable to choose a direction. The first step is to recognize when this starts happening. Take a step back, clearly define your current project or direction, and eliminate distractions. Reclaim your focus on the task at hand. Seeing one project through to completion is far more valuable than 5 unfinished projects.
Be present in each task
It’s easy to be distracted by phone calls, emails, and other prompts that ignite a reaction. Taking just 5 minutes to respond to an email will steal your focus on your current task and take much longer to refocus. Be sure to have an outline for your day and keep your priorities in mind. If you need some real focus time for a big project, block off that time in your calendar, turn off your phone, and turn off your email notifications. Allow yourself to be present while you work on your project. This will also allow you to be more focused and present while you are answering emails and returning phone calls.
Be realistic with your projects
Entrepreneurs are creatives at heart, often overflowing with great business ideas. However, if you act on all your business ideas at once, you will not have the focus and energy required to deliver any of them to completion. Give each big project the focus it deserves to get off the ground. Keep a list of your ideas so that you can be confident you’re not forgetting a grand opportunity. When a new idea pops into your head, go ahead and write it down. But don’t let it divert your focus from the task at hand.
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks of running your business. But if you really want to drive success in your business, it’s important to sharpen your entrepreneurial focus on the activities that matter most. If you need to delegate some activities to regain your focus, check out our available packages!