Running a business is not an easy task, especially when there are often so many competing priorities in life. Any entrepreneur has to plan and strategize effectively, in order to ensure that deadlines are met, budgets are adhered to and growth is achieved. All of this starts as soon as they make the decision to set up a business.
The early days of a business are all about ensuring that the business is formed effectively and that all of the necessary regulatory steps are taken. Once all of the initial work is completed, the complicated and challenging process of running a business continues in earnest. In order to be successful it’s necessary for any entrepreneur to maintain their focus. There are strategies which can be put in place in order for this to be achieved.
Have an ‘away’ space
Problems are often referred to the nearest available senior person. This means that the more a business owner is available, the more they are likely to have to deal with distracting issues that could easily be handled by someone else. This is why many entrepreneurs find it useful to have a bolt hole where they can spend time completely focussed on forward planning, strategies and ideas, with no interruptions.
Filter opportunities
Business often presents seemingly golden opportunities that are too good to miss. However, opportunities can often bring with them additional work and distraction. Entrepreneurs need to learn to filter opportunities so that they only accept those that present the most immediate benefit and have to be taken onboard straight away. If this filtering does not happen they can take on too much and focus can be adversely affected.
Stick to what is important
It’s very easy for an entrepreneur to try and do everything at once. The fact is that in every business there are “must do”, “should do” and “if there is time to do” tasks. Trying to get all of these tasks done, when there is not sufficient time, can lead to focus being lost and mistakes being made. In order to maintain focus, entrepreneurs need to recognise what is important and ensure that they concentrate on that first and foremost.
Start the day well
Starting the day well aids focus for the rest of the day. It’s important for any busy entrepreneur to wake up with plenty of time to spare before they need to start work. This enables them to spend time building focus using some simple breathing techniques and meditation time.
Avoid overlapping life
Most entrepreneurs lead exceptionally busy lives where they have to balance what happens at the office with what happens at home. Once of the most important things to remember is that life should be compartmentalized as much as possible. This is not always easy to do but concentrating on what is happening in the moment helps to sustain focus. In other words, there is a time for presenting to a client and a time for picking the children up from school; tasks should not overlap, mentally or physically.
These strategies help entrepreneurs to maintain the focus that is necessary to run a successful and growing business.
