Throughout the past several weeks I have shared with you what I refer to as the top 4 success saboteurs. They are:
Multitasking
Distraction & Interruption
Friction
Mind Chatter
It is clear from this list that the majority of these have to do with disruptions to the mental clarity and focus necessary to generate success.
The good news is that you do not have to blaze this trail on your own. Success leaves clues and there are ample sources of information resources that can help you avoid becoming an unwitting victim of these success bandits.
There is no doubt that successful entrepreneurs have mastered a broad array of techniques and practices to keep themselves focused, on purpose, and on the success track.
It is also clear, however, that the skeletal framework of success is comprised of faith, determination, and persistent practice of effective habits. The effectiveness of any success tool, technique, or method is determined by the consistency of its application. As you read through the remainder of this article, consider ways you can reinforce the consistent application of the techniques provided.
Here are 4 techniques that will help you prevail over the saboteurs and obstacles to your success:
•1. Clear Focus:
Your objective is to manage your project calendar to create blocks of time dedicated as large as possible to each and every important activity. Each important task should get a minimum of 2 hours of dedicated, un-interrupted focused attention. More than 2 hours is even better, but 2 hours is an absolute minimum. If the task or activity you are working on is not important or significant enough to take that large a block of your productive time, then it is probably not an activity that will contribute considerably to success anyway and should be deferred to either someone else or combined with other similar activities which and be combined and completed at another time.
Within each block of focused time, you will work on one thing and one thing only.
No multitasking. No email. No other distractions.
•2. Relax
In between these blocks of Clear Focus, you should take a 15 to 30 minute break and completely and totally relax. No text messaging, returning phone calls, or emailing. Instead, get up out of your office, go for a walk, close your eyes and meditate, take a nap, listen to some calming music, or do whatever you do to completely and totally relax.
This has profound impact on your psyche and generates the powerfully attracting experience of accomplishment and success. You will not only feel better but you will miraculously draw fresh inspiration and energy into your success efforts. Your mind, body, and spirit will work cohesively and in perfect synchronization. Your productivity will literally sky-rocket exponentially.
While it is counter-intuitive to think that NOT pressing on to the next project or task immediately will result in an increase in higher quality output, trust me it will.
But even more importantly than that is the experience of success you will realize. It will seem an effortless pleasure as opposed to a frenetic race. You will find an unlimited source of energy, creativity, and enthusiasm. This will attract even more of the same to you, and your experience of success will be transformed.
•3. Create Routines
For everything that is important to do, create a routine. The extent to which you can establish consistent routines, you will free up enormous amounts of positive mental energy and think time for the creation of your success.
Steven Covey explains that time management is a misnomer. We do not manage time. We manage ourselves. By creating routines you eliminate or at least reduce the deleterious effects of the mismanagement of yourself.
When I hear people complain about not having enough time, I am immediately reminded that their challenge is not truly about the availability of time. Rather, it is actually about the responsible management of the use of time. It is what you do or do not do with time that challenges the outcome you desire.
People who believe there is not enough time are operating with limiting beliefs either about what is possible for them, or about what it takes to be successful. Somewhere along the way they installed a belief about time; perhaps that time is limited or that success takes a lot time, or something like that. If these people are challenged to consider their life experience they would find that their experience of the lack of time as is a recurring theme that has curtailed and continues to curtail success in other areas of life. It is a clear illustration of how a subconscious counter-intentional belief can sabotage success.
By learning how to eliminate and clear these limiting beliefs and by establishing routines that support the effort necessary to accomplish the desired level success, you dis-empower the limiting belief while simultaneously making yourself available for more frequent larger blocks of clear focus time.
Keep in mind that you are the highest leverage resource in your business. No one you hire can create as great a return on your investment as you can. By routinely attending to your physical, emotional, and spiritual self, you are equipped for hyper-effective accomplishment and astonishing levels of success.
•4. Rest, Renew, & Recover
It is sometimes challenging for entrepreneurs, especially inexperienced entrepreneurs, to remember why they chose to be entrepreneurs to begin with. For most it is about freedom and contribution. In one dimension this may refer to the freedom to pursue inspirations, dreams, and aspirations and make a significant contribution to others and perhaps the world. In another it has to do with the freedom to fully experience and enjoy the primary relationships they have with loved ones. Regardless, entrepreneurs have a clear vision of the success they desire.
Left unabated however, the energy and enthusiasm drawn out of the entrepreneur in the passionate pursuit of this clear vision can consume their life and they can literally lose touch with who they are and why they chose the entrepreneurial path to begin with.
You must allow yourself to rest, renew, and recover. The only way to do this is to completely unplug and remove yourself from the entrepreneurial pursuit completely for an extended period of time. You will need to build in to your plan a minimum of two consecutive days each week away from your business and away from your business relationships. Invest that time completely in rest and recovery. Renew your connection with your loved ones and with who you are.
By doing this you will experience success in the truest sense of the word.
By following these 4 simple practices, you will begin to experience the astonishing levels of satisfying and rewarding success immediately. Keep in mind that success is part of a journey and is not a destination.
You can experience the elation of astonishing success right now, today.
Please comment and let me know if you feel this information will help you realize the accomplishment you desire.
Thank you for your visit.
With sincere gratitude,
Steve
Your Success Champion.
PS - I was recently invited to present the 4 Saboteurs to a group in a private teleconference. You can hear the entire article series presented in an audio recording of that presentation by clicking below.
Bill Losey is a highly sought-after adviser, educator, and author. He has nearly 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry. He’s a certified financial planner, a certified senior adviser, and certified RSP-trained retirement coach. He’s the founder of National Retirement Planning Month. He publishes Retirement Intelligent, an award winning newsletter that reaches thousands of subscribers worldwide. And he’s the author of a fantastic new book called “Retire In a Weekend: The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Making Work Optional.”
This interview is the first in a series of 12 interviews I have conducted with true experts. I am so excited about the value of the information provided by each of these extraordinary people, I just could not wait to share this one with you.
In this interview, Bill provides pragmatic advice and practical steps which help you create the retirement of your dreams beginning right now.
Whether you are 30, 60, or 70, following the financial strategies Bill outlines in this interview will guarantee that you have everything you need financially to create the abundant retirement you desire.
He likes to say ‘life is too long NOT to be doing those things that are fun and rewarding” and explains why it is so vital to begin with a clear image of what, outside of money, is really important to you.
Bill Losey “America’s Retirement Strategist”
I am always interested in knowing whether or not the information I am providing you is useful. Please comment on this blog and let me know how you like this post.
I am standing for all that is possible for you.
Sincerely and gratefully,
Steve
Your Retirement Success Champion
PS - I invite you to share this post with your friends and family. I promise you they will thank you for it.
No matter what kind of business you are building, no matter what kind of product you are marketing, unless you have covered the basics with a simple 7 point marketing plan the odds of success are no greater than a role of the dice.
You don’t need to gamble with your business though. Nor do you need a lot of elaborate analysis.
If you think through and research the true answers to Al Lautenslager’s (Guerrilla Marketing) 7 simple questions, you will significantly improve the probability of success.
What is the purpose of your marketing?
Who is your target market?
What is your niche?
What are the benefits and competitive advantage?
What is your identity?
What tactics, strategies and weapons will you use to carry out your marketing?
How much money will you spend on your marketing; what’s your marketing budget?
When I see people or companies struggle, often time, they have not thought through one or more of these points.
