Are you addicted to distraction? I have a feeling I might be. How many things do you have ‘on the go’ at any time? If you’re like me, the answer is: ‘probably more than is healthy’.
And, if this sounds like you then you’ll understand as I confess: “My name is Suzi and I’m addicted to distraction.”
Now, saying that, I’m very productive. I get a LOT done on any week. You may also be really productive, but does that productivity doesn’t come from a focused path towards your goals, or a web of paths that eventually lead to a positive result? As part of this month’s Great Makeover Challenge, I’ve decided to have a go at fighting my addiction (or habit) of distraction and to set up some new behaviours. It’s an experiment and I’m committing to it for one week. I’ve chosen four of my common distractors and decided how I’ll give my daily ritual a makeover to be more productive. For the next week, I do solemly swear to:
1. Use my Mobile Phone as a Phone
Do you use your mobile phone as an alarm and upon waking take a sneak look at the emails that have come in overnight? I use my iPhone as my alarm. As I turn off the alarm, I sneak a look at my email. Then, my brain starts to kick into answering emails (and occasionally I’ll answer them from bed). New ritual: Use the phone as a phone. Once the alarm goes off, rise and shine. Shower and eat before answering any emails.
2. Check Email Less Frequently
I check email many times a day and often, when I’m stuck for where should I focus next, I’ll take a look at emails just to see what’s come in. Seldom is the next email in my inbox part of my big-picture goals. More often than not it’s something that will distract me for a few minutes. This distraction can cause me to get lost in my inbox for far longer than I planned to. New ritual: Check email at 8am, 10am, 12 pm, 3pm and 5pm. I’m squirming as I write (knowing how difficult this is going to be) but I’m going to give it a go, for a week.
3. Work on one MIT (Most Important Thing) Each Day
I’m currently reading Jason Womack’s book, Your Best Just Got Better. (Jason is our guest on the BOOKED for Lunch webinar on 20 September and I’m reading the book in preparation for our interview). In the book he talks about your MITs (Most Important Things). I have a number of these MITs that don’t get a look-in some days if the day has been heavily scheduled with ‘doingness’ and distractions. New ritual: So, for the next week I will spend an hour working on an MIT each day. This is one change I would like to see become an ongoing habit.
4. Be Social by Design, Not by Distraction
Much of our business social media activity is well scheduled and planned. We are pretty good at being on purpose and consistent with our social media. I, however, will check our Facebook page and Twitter account more times a day than makes sense. Conversely, I won’t check LinkedIn regularly enough, to accept new invitations and connect with colleagues. I just don’t make the most of this great tool. New ritual (business): Check social network activity twice a day. Check new contacts and engage on LinkedIn once a week. Bonus Task: I’ve decided to give myself a bonus task. While it’s less to do with distraction and more to do with not making it a priority, I don’t produce as much content as I’d like to. So, for the next week, I plan to create at least one new piece of content each day by 10am. I’m off to schedule these activities and set alerts so that I can stay on track. What will you make over this month? Take The Great Makeover Challenge and let us know.
THE GREAT MAKEOVER CHALLENGE
This month, we’re running the Great Makeover Challenge. And, when you enter you can win one of six great prizes. Out total prize pool is valued at $2,510. All you have to do is tell us what area of business or life you’re going to make over this month, and why. Check our website for prize details and enter today. Not only do you stand a chance to win a prize, but you’ll also reap the benefits of any make over area that you’ve been meaning to action but haven’t had a reason to, up until now!
