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Small Business Articles from Make-it-Fly®
 Beware
of BSOs!
By Victoria Munro
Printable version
Are distractions stealing
your time and revenue? In our information-laden
world we’re barraged daily with a tempting array
of possibilities and products—a myriad of Bright
Shiny
Objects
all vying for our time and attention. Those BSOs contending
for our interest may be good and worthwhile, but they
also divert our focus and decrease productivity. As
a small-business owner who must wear many different
hats to keep your company going and growing, maintaining
focus is vital. Without it, you’re unlikely to
turn your goal—your dream—into reality.
Use the list below to spot ways you can minimize distractions,
maximize your time, and increase productivity and revenue.
Keys to Keep on Track
| Clearly
define your ultimate goal and keep it before you. |
| With
your ultimate goal in mind, create a daily ‘to-do’
list, prioritize the tasks and stick to it. |
| Identify
and concentrate on the most important task you should
accomplish each day. |
| Know
when your prime time is and maximize it. |
| Learn
to recognize and say “no” to opportunities
and requests that take your time and don’t
move you forward to where you really want to go. |
Limit Interruptions:
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Resolve
to check your email and surf the Web only at scheduled
times |
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Close
computer applications you aren’t using |
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Designate
phone-free times—break that reactive
habit of reaching for it whenever it rings, and
let voicemail take over |
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Shut
the office door when working on an important task—leaving
it open invites visitors |
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·
Keep a notepad handy to jot down ideas etc. when
your own thoughts interrupt you |
Recognize BSOs for what they
are, quickly shut them down and get back to the task
at hand. When we’re focused, our productivity
increases and we feel good about our accomplishments
at the end of each day. Choose and apply one or two
of the keys above to increase your focus this week.
(322 words)
© 2005-2007 Victoria Munro.
Click here
for printable version.
About the Author: Victoria Munro is
co-founder (along with husband Dave Block) of Make-it-Fly®
LLC, a company dedicated to creating success for
small-business owners through creatively designed programs
and tools. Victoria has started and run nine different
businesses. To receive FREE business success articles
with tips to help you with your business, sign up for
their award-winning ezine, “In-Flight Refueling,”
at: www.Make-it-Fly.com,
and receive a free copy of the eBook, Get
More Done in Less Time: 101 Quick and Easy Time Tactics
& Tips.
You’re welcome to “reprint”
this article in your ezine, print publication
or on your website, as long as it remains complete and
unaltered (including the “about the author”
info at the end). Please send a copy of your reprint
to info@make-it-fly.com.
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