3 Steps to Focus on the Big Stuff

The trouble I am having with reading so many inspiring New Year’s posts and articles is that pretty soon I am buzzing with all the possibilities of what I could do and where I could go this year, and this in turn becomes an unfocused swirl that in multiples is more distracting than helpful.Girl concentrating on writing in blurred room

So I am cutting it off here – from now on I am spending time on the following:

  1. Setting my own agenda; no more scanning emails as they come in or getting involved in ad hoc conversations on social media; I have unsubscribed from distracting newsletters that don’t help me progress, and I am avoiding websites that I know are a drain on my time – I will set aside time to achieve defined goals and just get on with it – no more sidetracking until I’m done.

  2. Focusing on 3 things I can achieve in a defined timeline – by placing things in a timeline of short- medium- and long-term goals, I can see what is most important, and of those I can chase the three that will give me most return. Everything else I can park until I’m done.

  3. Planning the detail needed in order to achieve no.2 – time spent breaking down and mapping out specific actions is time well spent – once I have detailed a plan I can stick to it and keep on working with it until I’m done.

And then when I’m done, I can move onto the next three things that I can achieve; with my three things written up in shorthand and posted up where I can see them all the time I work, I am ready to keep on achieving consistently throughout the year ahead.

I wish this for you too – share your experiences below and how you maintain your focus, I would love to hear from you.

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About Sarah Wood

Sarah is an Oxford-based digital consultant, and having spent many years working for various big brands on online strategy, organisation and operation, now offers support for businesses wanting to maximise their online effectiveness.
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4 Responses to 3 Steps to Focus on the Big Stuff

  1. Debbie Young says:

    Just what I needed to read today – having trouble getting down to work on the many, many things I COULD be doing. Really need to focus on what I SHOULD be doing!
    Thanks, Sarah!

  2. sarah says:

    Thanks for the support, Michael – I will do and encourage you to do the same!

  3. Michael says:

    Sound advice as usual. Go for it!

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