The Secret To Focus | by Guest Author Ruby McGuire

Focus – a little word with amazing power. How does your business day normally go? I used to be like a butterfly, flitting from one thing to the next. You know what it's like, you open one tab or read one post and before you know it you've gone down a rabbit hole.

It all changed for me about a year ago when I read a book called "The One Thing" by Gary Keller, and everything changed. The book is about, well you've probably already guessed it, doing one thing at a time! It's a great read.

When working with my clients, we talk about working smarter, not harder. And this is what happens when we use the power of focus. You didn't leave a 9-5 to work even harder in your own business, did you? I know I didn't!

But what's the secret to focusing when there are so many things out there grabbing your attention?

Plan!

Oh I know, it's not a very exciting secret. You're probably yawning already, but seriously this is where it all starts. So, using the word FOCUS as an acronym, let's make this happen!

F – Forget things that don't matter

Don't waste your life on the small stuff that doesn't matter! There will always be things on your to-do list that don't really need doing. They are those 'maybe one day jobs'. As you look at your 'To Do' list ask yourself, "Will it matter in 1 week, 1 month, 1 year's time if I don't do this?" If the answer is 'no', then take it off your list.

Remember all the time you're doing the little jobs that don't really matter, you could be having calls to bring in more clients.

Tips: Does it have to be done by you? Can it be ditched, delayed or delegated? These time-saving questions can be the difference between getting the important stuff done - and not.

O – One thing

Focus on ONE thing. We're generally not very good at this. We have lots of different things on the go and don't focus on any of them very well. Instead choose ONE thing to work on and see it through to completion, before moving onto the next shiny object.

The shift to doing only one thing has made an enormous difference to my business. Was it easy? Absolutely not, I have to constantly refocus myself (you'll often hear me tutting at my desk where I notice I'm getting distracted!). But I keep at it because it's worth it.

Tips: I recommend you turn off notifications and sign out of different apps to pull it off, but it's worth the effort. You'll feel clear and calm about what you're doing, and each time that task you're working on gets your undivided attention, you'll do a better job of it - and probably complete it faster too!

Focus, focus, focus – ONE single task at a time!

C – Clarity

Get absolutely crystal clear on what you want to achieve in your business.

It's easy to think, "I already have a plan", but what I see is that the plan is often not clear enough. This lack of clarity is what leads us to sit down at our desk and get distracted. A plan should be well enough defined so that when you sit down at your desk, you KNOW what to work on first.

I plan my time now in 3 month blocks, and because of that I've had to become super-duper clear on what I'm doing or it won't happen. I use the fabulous Coaching Tools Company 3-Month Business Plan so that I have clear action steps on what I need to do on a daily basis.

If you don't have a plan, then do some brainstorming and get it!

Editor's note: The 3 Month Business Planner.pdf (3 pages) that Ruby mentions was a gift for newsletter readers! Thanks to Ruby, we refreshed it, and made it available again here (free)!

U – Unsubscribe and Ungroup!

Unsubscribe from things that don't support growth in your business, whether it's following too many people on Facebook, being in too many groups on LinkedIn, on too many mailing lists etc.

Give yourself the space to focus. Make the time you spend online quality time so that you can focus.

One mistake I see a lot of my clients make is trying to be in too many online groups at a time - and after a while they get overwhelmed. While it seems good for being visible, it's not about being everywhere to get your business seen, but to spend quality time connecting with people. Much better to spend time in 3 -5 groups, really engage in those groups and get noticed.

S – Serve

Make your goal service. Remember that "Focus" means you have more time to serve your wonderful clients. Hey, isn't that why you wanted to be a coach in the first place?

Wrap up

We may think we're wired to do lots of different jobs at once, but the opposite is actually true. Focus makes us happier and less stressed. Focus also means we get more done, and we get to do more of what matters - like serve our clients. What's the secret to focusing? Plan. Here's a quick re-cap of the acronym to help you:

• F - Forget things that don't matter
• O - Choose ONE thing and see it through to completion before moving onto the next
• C - Get absolute clarity (create a plan)
• U - Unsubscribe from things that don't support growth in your business
• S - Serve. This is why you're doing all of this in the first place. Your dream clients need you!

So what about you? Are you ready to start working on your mindset, and stop being invisible? Let's work on visibility to get you more profitable. It's time that you and your fabulous business were seen, both on and offline. If fear is the thing holding you back, then you'll love my programme, Fearless Visibility Divas.  It's time to become a fearlessly visible, fiercely profitable, and hugely impactful solopreneur.

If you liked this article about focusing and your business, you may also like:

• 3 Ways to Focus You and Your Business This Fall | by Ruby McGuire
• 5 Surprisingly Easy Tips To Get Focused, Be Happier and More Productive
• Time Management Tool - Gets Clients Closer To Their Goals EVERY single day!

Contributing Author:

Ruby McGuire is a Business & Mindset Queen. She's an Accredited Master Coach & Master Mentor with the IAPC&M, Trainer, Inspirational Speaker and Author of multiple books. She loves helping her clients step up and become leaders (aka Queens) of their businesses. She helps her clients develop their leadership and business skills, create a success mindset and attract dreamy clients. She is a Brit on a mission to live a simpler life without marketing on social media so that she can spend more time in her beautiful Scottish surroundings. You can find her at her pretty online home, over on her podcast show, Rock Your Fabulous Biz, and here where she shares her Mini Guide to Marketing Without Social Media. When she’s not working you’ll find her surrounded by books, making hand-made cards, and enjoying life with her hubby, little dog and chickens (usually with a Whittard Vanilla cappuccino in her hand)!

Learn more about Ruby & see all their articles here >>