You’ve started a business and it probably hasn’t taken you long to figure out that time is your most valuable resource. You don’t have much of it, and you want to get max results from what little you do have, right? 

But it seems like no matter how much willpower you have, you can’t seem to figure out how to stay focused. You spend hours sitting at your laptop, only to realize that you haven’t done anything but watch TikToks of dogs “baking” for the last two hours. 

They’re cute, but they’re not exactly helping you grow your business. 

So how do you stay focused as an entrepreneur? How do you cut out the distractions so you can actually get ish done? That’s what you’ll find out here!

Prioritize your tasks

The first step is to figure out what’s most important. Maybe there’s something on your list that absolutely has to get done today, or you’ve committed yourself to break up a bigger goal into smaller steps.

Whatever the task or action is for you, make sure you identify what’s a have to do and what’s a nice to do. 

Otherwise, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed as soon as you get started — and overwhelm can quickly become procrastination. Your head starts spinning, thinking about everything you need to do and you feel like you’ll never get anything done. 

But when you prioritize, you can be more realistic about what you get done in a day, and you can make sure the most important stuff is taken care of first. No sweat. Focus on completing the most important thing first, then slowly work your way down that priority list each day.

Cut the distractions

As someone who has ADHD, I can tell you that this one may just be the most important point on today’s list. Distractions kill productivity. Period.

Your phone goes off? Even if you don’t check it, that breaks your focus. Hearing the ding breaks your focus. You start wondering who this mysterious stranger is that’s texting you, and then you just have to see who it is…only to find out it’s just a promo from your favorite store with a discount for something you definitely don’t need.

And now you’ve lost 10 minutes of your day (and maybe $$) because of one notification. One time may not be a big deal, but you can see how that might add up fast. 

Your desktop notifications — like emails and project management software — do the same thing, too, FYI! 

If you can, eliminate them as much as possible. This may mean you need to get firm with these boundaries (like putting your phone on do not disturb in the other room so you won’t even look at it and be tempted). 

Use a timer

Ever heard of the Pomodoro Technique? It utilizes the concept of timed focus to help you get more done in less time…because with a timer, the fire is definitely under your ass to stay focused. Deadlines are great motivators. 

Typically, people set a timer for 25 minutes of full-focus time, with a 5-minute break, but you can totally change this up as you see fit. Some people do 45 minutes on and 15 minutes off.

The point is giving yourself a deadline makes you stay at it. And this is a great method if you find it hard to sit down for long periods of time to focus. 

Automate, automate, automate

While this will take a decent amount of time upfront, your future self will thank you. By automating easy tasks, like sending out invoices or scheduling social media content, you save yourself time that can be put to better use elsewhere. 

Plus, you won’t be breaking your focus when you randomly remember that oh shiiii — you forgot to bill a client or respond to an email. Which, let’s be honest, as a business owner probably is what takes away your attention more than checking your phone.

There are several systems and software that allow automation, so make it a priority this week to check and see which of yours will allow you to do so!

Just a few examples include:

• Scheduling that response email for Monday at 8am so when I write it Saturday at 1:13am, nobody needs to know I was up that late
• Scheduling social posts so I can be consistent without constantly distracting myself with Instagram
• Setting up recurring payments so I don’t have to wonder why someone hasn’t paid — oh, because I never sent the invoice.

You get the idea.

Delegate what you can no longer do (or want to do)

I get it — you want to do everything. The truth is…you can’t. There are only so many hours in the day and only so much brain power too. But just because you need help getting it all done doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of running a successful business. It just means you’re human!

So, delegate some of those tasks out — especially the ones you don’t like doing. 

How many times has it taken you way too long to complete a task just because you’re dragging your feet to do it? Whatever that thing is for you, we all have something, and delegating can fix that. 

Pass those tasks along to a contractor who can help you out for a few hours each week. They most likely can get those tasks done for you in half the time it took you to do them. Doing this can also help clear up some free time to work on that new digital product idea, launch plan, or even take a break — what a concept!

Avoid shiny object syndrome

By using just even one of these tips, you’ll be able to maximize your time and achieve more success in your business. Remember, it’s time to work smarter, not harder!

Want to see even more ways you can achieve success and growth in your business? Then check out the video below. 

Shiny object syndrome is the NUMBER ONE killer of productivity for small business owners. There’s so much to do, so little time, and so many ideas you want to implement. You’re trying to do all the things that sound right, but only end up with more uncertainty about what actually works.

And because of that, you bounce from idea to idea, trying to find something that sticks. 

No more of that my friend! In this video, you’ll learn not only more about staying focused but learn more about how to know what to focus on. Give it a look and let me know what you think!