How You Can Focus and Finish Strong (Part 4)

3. Commit to Manage Distractions and Interruptions.

Many articles have been written on how to eliminate and avoid distractions and interruptions. Unfortunately, elimination and avoidance doesn’t work.  Distractions and interruptions will come. It is the job of leadership to analyze them and determine their importance.  Based on your goals and objectives decide if something should be dealt with immediately, set aside with a future date assigned or simply ignored.

Competing priorities can also be very distracting; not to mention frustrating.  In this present economy, almost everyone is doing the work of more people then they were a couple of years ago.  So what do you do when you are already overwhelmed and someone asks you to take on an additional assignment?   The most productive way to handle this is to lay out the predicament with someone you trust or report to.  Whether you discuss it with your board of directors, consult with a management coach or talk to your boss, get advice on where your time is most valuable.  Many times you are not the only one who can handle the assignment.  With counsel and coordination, the need can be transferred or delegated to some other capable person. (To be continued.)

How You Can Focus and Finish Strong (Part 3)

2. Commit to Plan a Strategy. 

The strategy is best planned with the participation of everyone who will be involved in the project.  As a group, write down the steps necessary to be successful, who will be responsible for each part and who will be the project leader.  Also, predetermine when and where you will meet to update each other on progress. Be ready to make changes too.  While we try to anticipate obstacles, we inevitably face unexpected detours.  (To be continued.)

How You Can Focus and Finish Strong (Part 2)

1. Commit to Prevail.

The word “prevail,” that Columbus used, means “to be greater in strength and influence.”  While many of us ultimately rely on a strength greater then ourselves, success still calls for an unqualified personal dedication and determination. Don’t start anything significant unless you are committed to prevailing.  Like the explorers, there will be too much invested and too many lives involved for you to turn back. 

Prevailing also requires a commitment of time and energy.  The reality is that most ventures require more time and energy then anticipated.  To prevail means that we will invest the time, no matter how much it takes, to reach the goal.  You must believe that the benefit is worth the cost.  Remember also, that in order to prevail the project must be in agreement with your personal values. The benefit of succeeding must be meaningful to you and those that labor with you.  Ask yourself and those you will be relying upon whether life will be better as a result.  You must believe that the benefit is worth the cost.  (To be continued.)