Laser Focus – The Overlooked Success Factor in Business

Laser Focus – The Overlooked Success Factor in Business

December 7th, 2009 @ MsMedia // 2 Comments

I’ve always been fascinated by quotes. The reason is probably that quotes often summarize a lot of wisdom in just a few words.

Here is one quote that I believe will be helpful for any business owner trying to do business online:

“Your ability to focus is the most important skill you can ever develop!” (Brian Tracy)

Did you hear that? Claiming that something (whatever it is) is the most important skill, is a pretty bold claim. Wouldn’t you agree?

While we’re at it, let’s listen to one more quote concerning focus, or rather the lack of it. This one comes from famous business philosopher Jim Rohn: “Many people don’t focus very well. That’s the reason they ultimately end up broke and disillusioned.”

It’s no secret that the failure rate in business is pretty high. Could this have something to do with a lack of focus? You bet!

Let me give you a couple of examples. About 2 years ago, I bought a course teaching how to build content rich websites in order to get free search engine traffic. This traffic could then be monetized in different ways.

I decided to send a quick email to the product creator. Reason being, I wanted to hear his opinion about the views and claims made by a handful of extremely well known internet marketers. His answer baffled me. Or rather the absence of a useful answer.

Yes, he answered my email, but he didn’t really have a clue about a single one of those famous internet marketers. He didn’t even know their names. Then it dawned on me: This product creator, that it would be tempting for me to label “ignorant”, did not waste his energy on learning this and learning that.

He had simply found an online business formula that worked and decided to forget about everything else. This way he could write article after article, and create site after site, making sure his income soared.

Personally I made the big mistake of becoming “knowledge rich”, but “action poor”. I’ve got to admit I’ve struggled with this problem for years, and it makes me feel kind of stupid. I have discovered, though, that I am not alone.

In a chaotic world, it’s all too easy for focus to become blurred.

Here are 2 things you can do that will help you focus better and make more money as a result:

1. Stop Checking Your Email 32 Times a Day.

Yes, I know you’re probably dependant on email. Who isn’t? But I also know of some smart marketers who have committed themselves to NOT check their inbox, until they have gotten the most important tasks for the day out of the way. Their productivity sky rockets as a result of this simple strategy.

I can hear some people objecting already: “Wait a minute! What if there’s an extremely important email that I need to pay attention to!” Well, let me ask you back: “When was the last time you received an email that was so important you couldn’t let it wait for a few hours!” I rest my case.

The fact is: Email has become an obstacle, rather than a resource in many cases. Reason being that a lot of people start their day answering and sending emails for hours, and when their work day is over, several important tasks are left for some other day.

“Joe Average” will continue spending a big part of his day on his email. While “Mike Focus” will get the money making tasks done, and check his email after that. This will make sure he gets the most out of each day and is an extremely important success factor.

Please don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying you can’t succeed if you start your day taking a quick look at your email. Just don’t get stuck there, while you forget your most important activities for the day.

Best selling author Danny Cox once said: “If you’ve got a frog to swallow, don’t look at it too long. If you’ve got more than one to swallow, swallow the biggest one first!” In other words, tackle your most important priorities immediately.

I once heard a successful marketer revealing one of his little secrets:

On his lap top he had put a little note that he couldn’t help but see each and every workday. What was on the note? Two words only: “Laser Focus!”.

2. Learn the Power of the Word NO!

The telephone can be an insidious intrusion. It’s so easy to let the phone control your day. If you need to set aside two or three hours for uninterrupted work, unplug it! At least if you’re in a business where this can be done. (If you’re a doctor, you obviously need to answer the phone!)

Remember to turn off your cellular as well. Voice mail and answering machines can help you avoid these annoying interruptions. If you want to boost your income, there are times you should shut the world out. Most people don’t do this. Go one better. Best of luck.

Category : Charles Jahren & Strategies