Monday, May 23, 2016

Time To Be Selfish, Say "NO" to Distractions!


"There are seven days in a week, SOMEDAY isn't one of them"

It's time to focus and identify our distractions.
First let's identify who you are:

"The Entrepreneur" You wear many hats. You have several tasks that demand your immediate attention but you decide to check your email instead; message someone about nothing related to the task at hand; or pick up the phone to chat "real quick"because it's your mother, best friend, sister or brother calling or even clicked on one of your social media notifications at the top of your phone to see "so and so's"response? How many times have you made promises you didn't keep, to a client who's business can't function without your expertise? They've waited for an email/call from you that was requested a week ago and now they are frustrated and your only reply is, "I'm sorry, I got distracted and time escaped me".
Basically, you forgot about them! Well, that's what it looks like to them.

"The Part-time Entrepreneur" Same as above, but now your time is cut in half and you are having a hard time trying to stay on top of things.

"The Mompreneur" You are trying to run a business to keep your clients happy, be fit, do laundry, stay on task with managing your home, your kids (if you have little ones) and  if there is a significant other; scheduling quality time.  Talk about prioritization.

When we are honest with who we are, can identify our distractions and the goals we are trying to accomplish, we prioritize better


My response to distractions are, "Schedule It"! 
Become "ONE" with your calendar. 
Create calendar blocks throughout your day

Here's what I mean:
  • Emails - schedule a time to read and respond to your emails. (Be proactive by responding to your emails each day. You will look like you are on top of things)
  • Calls- Schedule time to make calls, your 1:1's, or meetings. and if not work related, send them to voicemail and schedule a time to respond to their calls (after work or via text, with "everything okay"* bonus; know how many hours you want to spend in meetings per week, and allow them to be movable, but never deleted.
  • Tasks- I am sure this sounds funny or even a "no-brainer"but schedule your tasks until you meet your deadline, this includes sending your updates to your project manager. 
    • Mompreneurs; add laundry, homework, dinner, time with kids, and significant others to your list.We all have that time of day where we are at our best. Schedule those difficult tasks during those hours and don't deviate from it. (This is what I do)
MY BONUS** Notifications - Turn off your cellphone and email notifications, if they are always open you will be tempted to see what "Jesse" had to say about your response. 
Remember: Time taken away from your clients or your business is a huge distraction towards your 
million dollar goals.

We all deserve to live a balanced "work/ life", lifestyle. These are a few tools I use to minimize my client's distractions. The first step is to identify. Then, put systems in place that will maximize their time.  Not only do my clients provide top-notch customer service, and manage their time better. With my support, they learn to prioritize and complete their tasks.  If we as entrepreneurs can't manage our distractions or stay on task, how can we become successful?
 Learn to say "NO" to your distractions and now that you can identify them, make them apart of  your schedule.  
Visit our website at www.cynassists.com or contact us directly at info@cynassists.com with your questions. I hoped assisted your business journey. Please share with those in your circle, maybe this will be helpful to them. Virtually yours-Thank you for taking time to connect with CYNASSISTS. I hope you scheduled it!