The 4 Success Saboteurs and How to Capture Them - Final Chapter

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.

4 Success Saboteurs