Back To Focus

By Robin Skeen

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It is easy to lose focus at times when it comes to your goals. It has certainly happened to me. It takes more than a to-do list to keep track of your goals. I have a tendency to lose the list. That certainly does not help. It takes persistence and dedication to reach success. Do you take care of those goals or do you tend to have problems focusing on one thing at a time? When you have lost your focus, this causes irritation and a lot of mental clutter. It is time to clear out the clutter and get back to focus.

First, be realistic when you set your goals. If you know you are not going to make a million this month from a new product launch, getting shot down can be disappointing, to say the least. If you know that your goals are something you can hold up, then go for it. Do not stack up more things in a day than you can get done. It's okay to have a thing or two that will flow into the next day. Learn to say no when others expect you to take on more tasks than you know you can handle. Sometimes it's just not possible to do it all. It will only bring more emotional clutter and finding focus will get a little more difficult.

The second task to take on when getting focused on your goals is to make a plan. Think it through thoroughly and from every possible angle. Think of the possible roadblocks and other things that may distract you. What is the plan to get around these pitfalls? Is there a backup? It's easy to fall into negative thinking and get weighed down when there are barriers to success. Plan how to balance reaching your goals with the possible obstacles.

A third method to use for getting back to focus is to keep a positive attitude. I know I don't feel much like goal setting when I get down on myself. I have discovered that messing up (and we all do) can be a learning experience. I can just pick up and either keep going or start again. I take a break at least once a week to go over my goal plans and adjust as needed. If I seem to run out of time for everything, I am being too scattered. Has this happened to you? Keeping positive will help you find a way to plan a little wiser for the next week or month.

Earlier I mentioned "taking care" of goals. This simply means being persistent and not giving up when the going gets a little tough. Again, we all will mess up. Accept it and try your best to plan for it. Make a pact with yourself that you will not give up, no matter what happens. Sure, it takes the occasional regrouping and shifting of plans. Goals should not be set in concrete. Of course, if you have been consistent and still nothing is working, it may be time to take another look at your goals. Remember, be realistic. Also remember that having a "no quit" attitude is just as important as the goals.