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Whether you’re a blogger or a C-level executive, you have tons of distractions — e-mails, phone-calls, girlfriends, personal finance, and the list goes on. Unfortunately, these distractions hurt your ability to get things done and achieve success. But, if you ask yourself “What’s Important Now?” and listen, your whole world changes. You turn your ringer off, you close your inbox, and you tell your girlfriend you will talk to her later. Success is “What’s Important Now” and it’s time to focus.
It sounds so simple and it is. Pat Riley, a New York Knicks coach, pioneered “What’s Important Now” to help his players keep their head in the game. He knew they dealt with distractions like sponsors, women, and business deals, but he needed them to play basketball. He needed to make sure that his players played their best so the New York Knicks could win games. It wasn’t about the skill because the players had it, it was about the motivation and “Whats Important Now” helped them get it.
Now let me tell you how “What’s Important Now” can help you in life and business.
You Only Have 24 Hours
You can be the most productive person in the world and you will still have 24 hours a day like the rest of us. When you’re starting a new business, you have a ton of responsibility, but you need to focus on the 20% of inputs that gets your the 80% of returns. I know you’re talented and can do anything, but you certainly can’t do everything. So, you need to use “What’s Important Now” to filter your schedule and make sure you do the right things the right way.
The Multitasking Myth
What most people call multitasking, David Crenshaw, the author of “The Multitasking Myth,” argues that its really called switchtasking. People can’t do multiple things at once, so they switch between tasks. While they do this to become more productive, it actually has the opposite effect and Crenshaw demonstrates this perfectly in his book. So, if you want to take control of your life, all you need to do is answer “What’s Important Now” and put all of your eggn that basket.
The Success Factors Prescription
All you need to do is answer “What’s Important Now” and align your actions with it. If you’re blogger, stop checking your stats and commenting on blogs and just blog. It is that simple and you can make it that simple throughout the rest of your life.
What’s Important Now?
I would love for you to stick around and read Prevential.com, but if it isn’t “What’s Important Now,” what are you waiting around here for?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Interestingly enough, this dovetails very nicely with a post I just did for my own blog. I think you’re totally right about this process. Prioritize and Do It Now.
@Michael I just read your post. Good stuff.
Multitasking is a great way to waste a lot of time. I’ve fallen prey to the multitasking beast many times before, but now I try to eliminate multitasking as much as possible. I’ve found when I focus on one thing at a time, I do that thing much better than if I was to attempt to multitask. Plus, I usually get it done quicker.
A great book on the myth of multitasking is Time Traps by Todd Duncan and if your in sales you need to read this book, but it can also help anybody looking to be more productive.
Wise words Derek!
@Chad Time Traps? I’ll have to pick it up.
Nice article. This really hits home with me. I get distracted easily and often. I’ve gotten a lot better about NOT checking my e-mail constantly. I am now really trying to make an effort to focus on one activity at a time and put my total focus on that item.
-HIB
@HIB I use to always get distracted. I had to cancel my TV and delete Ichat. Now, I have nothing really left to distract me other than writing!
It all comes down to focus. When we know our goals and what we are trying to accomplish it makes it easier to stay on task and knock that work out.
@Karl Without focus, you really can’t get anywhere. That’s one of the reasons why I think you need to put all of your eggs in one basket.
Hi Derek,
Yes, we each have to define what is important for us, now. What it is for me, might not be what it is for you. And that’s okay, as long as we’re working toward what is important to us. Great point, and one that can sometimes get lost in the shuffle…
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