Staying On Task

"Multitasking" has become the norm for many of us as business owners. It turns out, however, that mindfulness - being focused and fully present in the task at hand - is an essential skill for you as a business owner. In fact, mastering this trait is a proven method for success. Yet it today's culture, choosing to NOT multitask and to focus on just one thing and do it well and until it is complete is surprisingly hard. How many times do you look at your phone, while in a conversation with someone, for example?

It turns out that choosing to be being mindful alters the  structure and function of your brain. This process is what allows us to learn, acquire new abilities and even improve memory according to neurologists. Multitasking depresses the brain's memory and analytical functions. Go figure!

Here are two ways to increase your mindfulness:

• Focus on a single task for a specific period of time. Process email for 15 minutes, then run the machines for a hour, make phone calls for 5 minutes, then go back to running the machines. Do just one of these things at a time.  While it feels like it might take longer, you may find that you can accomplish more by just doing one thing at a time.
• When you get stuck trying to figure something out, MOVE for a few minutes. Take a walk, go up and down a flight of stairs, turn on some music. Engage your physical self, and that will help your mental processes clear so that you can refocus on the challenge at hand more effectively.

As business owners, you have to wear a lot of hats. Pick what is the most important thing to complete today, and figure out what it is going to take to accomplish that task. And then do it, and just that, in the steps you've determined. Take mental and physical breaks if it is a day-long task - but keep yourself ON task throughout the entire process.

This approaching is helping us here at NNEP!  I'd love to hear if it works for you.