Recently, I blogged about several steps I am taking to get focus for my on-line business. I’m eliminating distractions and concentrating on one thing.  The trouble is, I have two (or more) things I am doing and this is causing me to lose focus. I am having great success in eliminating distraction from email. I completed my website update. I got started with affiliate marketing.

There lies the trouble. I only got started, then I stalled. Why did I stall? Of course there are several reasons!

1. I took on a web-redesign project. I am really interesting in doing website upgrades, so that is why I took on the project.  Even that is slow-going – NOT GOOD. This has now become my top priority to finish.
2. I didn’t set aside a definite time to work on affiliate marketing. This will be done, starting with #1 above.
3. Farm-work and my regular job are busy right now.  Both of these will right themselves in due time.

As you can see, I am almost back to navigating some roadblocks, only this time it is not as serious. I believe that website upgrades may be part of my business plan, so this extra project is really worthwhile. I know that I can get back on track, I just need to focus. Lynn Terry posted a great blog about Staying Focused When You Work Online.  There is a lot of good advice in there!

I am in a period with my on-line business where I need focus. Part of what I need for focus is to eliminate distractions. One major distraction is email.  Over time, it is so easy to get on a lot of internet marketer’s email lists. (The money is in the list, right?) This happens in various ways: signing up for free stuff, buying stuff, and being spammed.  One thing that I am finding out, that the money is in your list.  When I get over-subscribed, then all these emails waste my time that I could put to better use making money.

I am taking a multi-pronged approach to eliminating this distraction:

• Deciding which emails I truly value.  These are not constant streams of email sales pitches, but rather provide me with useful information and tips within the email.
• Unsubscribing from emails that either I don’t recognize or that I have not found to be valuable.
• Marking spam emails. Some are true spam and others are spammy. By spammy I mean emails that don’t offer an opt-out, even though I know how they got my email address.  What else can I do when they don’t offer a means to unsubscribe?

This is what I will be doing, every time I work my in-box – eliminating distractions from email.

I have a project that I want to do, in fact I am quite anxious to start it.  There is a problem though.  Yes, you guessed it!  A roadblock.  I won’t say exactly what the roadblock is, but here are some general characteristics to describe it.

1. It has a looming, non-negotiable, deadline.
2. It is not a quick thing.
3. I tried to outsource it but that didn’t work out.
4. It’s not the most fun thing to do.

Everyone hits these kind of roadblocks from time to time.  Here is how I am planning to break through it.

1. Make it a priority.
2. Break it into smaller pieces.
3. Set a schedule to complete the pieces.
4. Block out big chunks of time to get it done.
5. Set an earlier deadline than the real deadline.

Will I get it done?  I think so. YES!  Once it is out of the way, I can do that project that I am really looking forward to.  I guess that is point #6.  Reward myself for getting through this roadblock!

One last thing.  If you think this roadblock will come up again, plan for it next time.

My thanks to Robert Plank for his comment last night to my post called When can you quit your day job?.  At the close of that post I said, “I’m not quite ready to answer these questions yet. I will start thinking about them.” Robert replied, ““Start” thinking about them? Why not just answer them?” He is exactly right.  It was a push when I needed one. How will I ever accomplish anything unless I do something.  You have to be a “doer!”

Robert is a great example.  He is a high-energy “doer.”  Robert has published a great resource called Time Management on Crack.  It’s all about becoming productive and getting the right things done, right now.  This package includes a 22 page report (packed with information), four videos, and some exceptional bonus content.

Everyone is busy.  You can either decide to work more, or decide to get more done in the time you have.  Time Management on Crack gives you the knowledge, techniques, and motivation to do just that.