Have you ever been like a dog on the scent of something, that is suddenly distracted by a squirrel or a cat? That’s me everyday. I am so easily distracted, and as a leader that is a major problem. As we move into 2017 one of the most important pieces of advice I can offer us is: Stay Focused! For me the three most common “squirrels” that get my attention are: 1) technology; 2) new ideas; 3) small stuff.
This morning is a perfect example of how technology distracts me. I got up and tried to sync my FitBit. For those of you who may not know a FitBit tracks your exercise, eating, etc… It’s a great idea–when it works. Mine stopped syncing yesterday afternoon at 3:47pm. What that means is I don’t know how I did with my steps, active minutes, etc… All of which I had know idea about before Christmas when I received the FitBit. Now, I check my phone a number of times each day to either record data, such as glasses of water I have drunk, and to see my “progress.” It’s really cool, and I did lose two pounds since Christmas, which given the time of year is a plus.
Here’s the distraction part: I wasted half an hour at the start of my day on FitBit’s website attempting to find out why my particular model wasn’t syncing and updating. I got it to sync after all of that, but it still isn’t updating. So what did that accomplish? I didn’t pray and exercise for those thirty minutes. I started my day frustrated and distracted. Since the helpdesk doesn’t open until 7:00 am, better to let it go, and actually start my day.
New ideas often have the same affect on me. I’ll be in the middle of accomplishing an important item on my to do list when suddenly a new idea appears on the limb of a tree out ahead of me. Wow! It’s so much more interesting than the task at hand. If I pursued that idea, I would be more effective as a leader, a better husband, a more successful person…you get the idea. Before I know it that distraction has cost me anywhere from five minutes to an hour, and the task that was well underway to getting done, is now a second-best idea that won’t get the attention it deserves.
Small stuff can be a lot of different squirrels. It can be the unhung picture I walk past on my way to sitting down at my desk, or the disorganized mess that is my desk, or the task Nancy asked me to do three days ago, or … you get the idea. The challenge with the small stuff is it pops into my mind at the most inopportune times and takes me away from being fully present with what I need to do. The other thing about small stuff is it’s easily accomplished so the “reward” of checking an item off the to do list comes much more readily than when we’re working on a matter of importance in the grand scheme of our leadership.
So, how do we stay focused? Many responses could be given. I’m going to give two: 1) Make sure you know what the big stuff is! and; 2) Acknowledge distractions when they come and set a time later to address the important ones. (If they’re not important, drop them from your mind by refocusing on the big stuff and move forward. That is much easier said than done, but I am finding that the more clarity I have on my big picture goals, and the more intentional I am about addressing the next important action to accomplishing one of those, the more likely it is that I won’t let the squirrels move me off what’s important.
That being said, when you do go after a squirrel, recognize it as soon as possible and stop chasing. Don’t waste time being down on yourself for wasting time again, because that just wastes more time. Take a breath, refocus on what’s important and let the squirrel to itself.
Here’s to leading better by staying focused–today!