Business owners are continually faced with a barrage of things to do which causes them to lack time and focus. From daily operational requirements which meet short-term demands, to marketing implantation to optimise the position of the company in the market, to strategic management aimed at ensuring the company goes in the desired direction. One of the challenges that any business owner will face is simply the lack of time to get around to all the myriad tasks that running a business entails. But is it really the lack of available time that is the main issue leading to unsatisfactory compromise, or – worse – loss of presenting business opportunities?
Lack of Focus
Focus is something that all of us, as human beings, are capable of. However, what we focus on consciously, or even subconsciously, will determine what we achieve in business. Lack of clarity about what to focus on often results in turning our attention to all those other ‘important’ things that need doing at the same time. This may meet an immediate need, but will detract from fulfilling your longer term goals as the business owner. You will get things done. Your business will continue to operate. But you will dissipate a lot of time and resources ‘operating’ the business, instead of ‘driving’ it. You may still get the business to where you want it to be – but it will be at the expense of a great deal of time and energy.
What Business Owners Need When They Lack Time and Focus
Having clarity of focus on what it is you want out of the business, and what you want it to achieve, will help you set in order of priority the tasks that need to be tackled. By keeping that focus central to your decision-making process, you start to work in a way that will most effectively influence the direction your business will take in the future.
It keeps you ‘tuned’ to what you want, and allows for allocating your resources to bring about outcomes with the greatest positive impact for you.
“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully.” Steve Jobs
Know what you want, know why, focus on it, and get the job done. How much is it going to cost your business if you, as the key driver, are not focused? If you want some assistance in this – call me!
