11 Habits For Success: #2 Single Focus

Previous entries: #1 Values

Multitasking is dead…sort of. There will always be a need to spin multiple plates, but there is a trend, a glorious trend in productivity circles dealing with uni-tasking. The idea is that if you deal with one thing (and only one thing) at a time, you’ll produce better results faster than if you are working on multiple projects at the same time.

Instead of writing a blog post, while listening to a podcast, while returning phone calls; first call, then write and then listen. You’ll find each project will be more effective and successful.  But how do you pull this off? How do you generate single focus? Clear goals.

Our goals point us in the direction of success. They provide singular focus and a measurable result. Often a new project has dozens of micro-goals that need to be accomplished. How do you tackle the project with singular focus when lots of things are demanding your attention? Work through these micro-goals one at a time, through to comletion.

5 Steps to creating single focus goals:

1. Write down all the ‘micro-goals’ attached to the new (or exisiting) project. Don’t listen to music, podcasts or TV. Just write down all the micro-goals.  Don’t worry about putting them in order yet, that’s the job of the other steps.

2. Which micro-goals are time sensitive, that is urgent. If missing the deadline established with this goal would damage the project it goes to the top of the list. For example, I am launching a new website for a new coaching project. Getting the ‘perfect’ domain name is vital. I can’t allow anyone else beat me to the punch, so my first goal in this new project was 1.) Get domain name(s). I didn’t stop until it was done.

3. Which micro-goals can be done quickly. If you can do it in less than 2 minutes…go ahead and do it. After the hard deadlines, these quick and easy micro-goals come next. Knock all of them off the project list

4. Which micro-goals should be off-sourced? Go ahead and farm them out next.

5. Which of the remaining micro-goals is most pleasant for you to do? Do these next in what ever order you like. Ideally the stuff you ‘like’ is all that should be left at this point. Through uni-tasking, focused effort on one thing at a time, you’ve created space to do the stuff you enjoy the most!

The key is when you tackle any of the goals, that you work on that goal and ONLY that goal until it is complete. Remember these goals will be consistent with your values so there is no damage in putting them first!

Big Question: What do you find difficult about the concept of uni-tasking? What about it seems like a delight?

The mission of Matthew Reed Coaching is “To make the world a more effective and God honoring place, through coaching.” I love to help people genuinely experience the life they have always wanted. I’d be thrilled to be able to share with you the power of coaching.”

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