4 Tips to Stay Laser Focused on Your Goals
Have you ever found yourself starting off the day with a clear goal in mind, but then by noon you find yourself scattered, having accomplished nothing? If so, it might be time to reevaluate your day-to-day habits, surroundings, and activities and find ways to stay motivated and focused.
Staying focused on a big goal or project can be difficult, especially if you're juggling a full-time job and a family. Sometimes it only requires a few changes, while some circumstances may require big changes and commitments. Here are some tips for staying focused
1. Create an environment that nurtures and encourages you to achieve your goals.
When we fully understand and align with who, what, and where best supports our dreams and goals, we can make real progress.
The next time you're in your environment, whether at work or at home, in a networking event or group setting, pay attention to how you're feeling. Keep track of how you feel when you leave that experience or the room. Does it make you feel focused and excited or disorganized, drained and uncomfortable?
Take a look around you and consider the following questions:
Am I in an environment that will help me achieve my objectives?
Is it obstructing my ability to stay focused on my objectives?
Is it comparable to others who have accomplished what I wish to accomplish?
Examine your behaviors and lifestyle as well. Are you putting yourself in places and events that encourage you to grow as a person?
Look at the people around you. Are they supportive and encouraging you to achieve your goals?
If the responses to these questions are anything other than ‘yes’, you should carefully consider altering your environment and circle.
2. Your Goals are your Distraction (not news, other peoples projects, Instagram, or friend drama)
The most common causes of losing focus are distractions and interruptions. Think about the areas in your life that distract you often and do what you can to eliminate those distractions. Occasional, healthy distractions may be OK if it offers respite from overworking and takes you on a creative or meditative path. But unhealthy distractions cannot exist simultaneously with a positive goal you are trying to accomplish.
How to avoid unhealthy distractions?
Here are some examples of ways to avoid unhealthy distractions.
Pin your to-do list to your cork board or tape it to your desk. Seeing your task list often will remind you of what needs to be done and help you stay on track.
Inspiration boards, motivating quotes and pictures should be displayed in areas of your home, office or workplace that are regularly seen. You'll be surprised how well words of affirmation, positive quotes, and visual cues will keep you motivated and reminded of your goals.
Create visual cues and alerts that remind you to stay on track with healthy habits and goals. Use apps and/or post-it notes, whichever works best for you.
3. Make Changes to Your Inner Circle
Multiple studies have shown that our peer group has a significant impact on our thinking, habits, and motivations. As a result, the people in our lives have a significant impact on our ability to achieve our objectives.
Because people have such a major impact on the trajectory of your entire life, you may need to change your inner circle if you're serious about attaining your goals. This is when creating or changing your environment becomes difficult.
Creating distance or separating completely from friends, colleagues and even family members is one of the most difficult things to do, even if it is for the best.
However, we must remember that, above all else, if we are to achieve significant personal goals, we must be loyal to ourselves. Loyalty to friends, family or even your spouse that is detrimental to your success will only hinder your progress.
4. Change Your Surroundings
This is a radical strategy, but it has the potential to be the most effective. While changing your environment to make it less distracting is preferable, it isn't always possible, or enough to make a difference.
There will be times when the only way to stay on track is to make more drastic and extensive changes. This could imply entirely changing your surroundings or creating drastic new (healthy) habits. Here are some changes you could make if you find yourself struggling to meet your goals:
Get rid of things that distract you (TV, Social Apps, Xbox, etc.). Replace them with healthier habits such as a workout routine, a daily walk, yoga, or meditation session.
Change your physical working environment (at work, home). Sometimes a new office or a better view or the direction of your desk can make all the difference!
Join a new social or business networking group. Connecting with like minds and a positive support group is a great way to help you stay motivated and accountable. Hire a coach or a project manager if you prefer a more one-on-one experience.
Change the aesthetic in your office! Bring in positive vibes with a more comfortable chair or desk, a home office that reflects your brand, an art-filled wall that inspires you, plants, a soothing water feature, or aromatherapy. Look to feng-shui for ideas to create a positive, balanced work environment.
Completely change your job or job department. If you find yourself dreading your job more often than not, it may be time to change jobs or switch to a different location or department.
Eliminate any toxic or distracting friends or family members from your inner circle.
Find new business partners or colleagues
Change your city or country. Sometimes moving to a city that is more robust for your industry and matches your energy and ideas is the magic key to giving you the motivation and support you're seeking.
Remember: You can do it! The rewards will be well worth your time and effort. If you're having trouble staying focused on what matters most to you, try making a list of goals that are attainable for the month or week. Make sure they align with the bigger picture so you don't get frustrated by the smaller tasks along the way. Keep track of your achievements. Remember to keep asking yourself, “Why this is important to me?”
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