As an entrepreneur it can feel like all you do is live and breathe work. You wear many hats, you’re always needed and there’s always something that still needs to be done. It can be hard to stay focused and therefore difficult to reclaim the time you once had for yourself. Learning how to stay focused will help you achieve more tasks during the day and gain back that personal time you once had. These techniques help you avoid distractions and find focus more easily.
Create Cognitive Associations
Think of current cognitive associations you have in both your work and personal life. You probably associate the couch with watching tv, the kitchen table with eating dinner, your bed for sleeping, etc. Now, use cognitive association to your advantage for focusing at work such as music. Create a playlist that helps you focus and only use it for when you are working. You’ll now associate focus and productivity with that playlist when it begins.
Rid the Distractions in Your Office Space
Whether you are at home full time or doing a hybrid work schedule, your work environment has a direct impact on your ability to focus. Start with any visual distractions you can remove. Is there a clock in your viewpoint that you find yourself constantly looking at? Is your desk a mess? Then, take into consideration potential noise-related distractions. Try to set your office away from open windows, TVs or high traffic areas.
Determine Where Your Time is Spent
You may think you know where all your time is being spent, but do you really? We think you’ll be surprised when you do a time audit. The simplest way to do this is to begin a time diary. Log your activities for a typical day and how long they take you. Do this for a full week and then examine the results. See where you spend most of your time, when your most productive times are and what changes you can make for a more productive day.
Eliminate and Delegate Tasks
Now that you’re aware of where your time is spent, make a list of the reoccurring tasks you do weekly. Which tasks take the most time and which do you like the most and least? Maybe some tasks can be eliminated – the ones that just aren’t necessary. This is a simple way to get some time back in your week. Additionally, if you can afford to outsource tasks, choose the ones that take up too much time of your day or the ones you aren’t fulfilled by and delegate them to a team member.
These four techniques are guaranteed to help you stay focused and reclaim your time. Being an entrepreneur is a tough yet rewarding experience. Learning to stay focused is essential in reclaiming your time outside of work. With your extra spare time you can find a new hobby or spend more time with friends and family.
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