A Good Distraction

I am sure you are thinking, wait a minute, can a distraction be a good thing?  Yes it can be.

Good distractions are those tasks we justify even though they are hampering our big visions. Those big plans for business expansion, new product, starting a social enterprise, new business venture, collaboration, writing a book etc.

If you are thinking of expanding your current business, starting one or just packaging your passion, you will have to win the war against the ‘good distraction’.

Working in the accounting field a few years ago paid the bills at the end of the month and allowed me a few life luxuries. I was comfortable enough to allow this job to become a good distraction from what I should actually be pursuing.  As fate will have it, I was offered voluntary redundancy and I ran out of excuses – I had to jump ship and make this work.

If your job or current business tasks are taking up all your hours and does not allow you to do something about the other things you are passionate about, maybe we need to shake things up a bit. Here are some options worth considering:

Delegate – can you find someone else to delegate the tasks to so you get some time to focus and plan ahead?

Outsource – the world has become a global market and you can find someone to help with those tasks that are clogging your timesheet for the fraction of the usual cost.  Just make sure you do so through a legitimate body such as ‘People per hour, Fiverr and the likes.

Scheduling – you can schedule time for your job, business tasks and 

idea development every week.  You can juggle them well if you plan ahead of time. For example – I dedicate a certain number of hours to personal and idea development every week.

Flexible Hours – can you adjust your work hours? Maybe a day off once every two weeks to focus on other tasks or actually reduce your hours. Of course, do check the financial implication before you go ahead.

Prioritise – Steve Covey said, “If you have more than one priority, you have no priority.”  There are certain tasks that have to be done in the day, whilst others should not be given such prominence.  Make sure you know the difference and prioritise well.

Just Do It – sometimes we just have to take the bull by the horn and do those things that have been keeping us up all night.

Most of my clients are busy professionals with busy lives, who want to make a difference with their passion.  They have learnt the art of juggling it all and prioritising the tasks that matter most.  You can do it too, if you learn to plan and schedule your priorities too. A Free Exploration Session could help you take the next step in the right direction – book yours today.

Let me know what you are going to do to reduce the effects of the good distractions.  I’ll love to read from you.

I am cheering you on.