Focusing on Your Goals

It is amazingly easy to get distracted - as I have been distracted from my blog posting goals. Every few months, I 'decide' I'm going to go back to posting every two days, and within a month, I get distracted.

Currently, I post in 3 different forums on a daily basis. Why is this easier? Because I usually get immediate feedback. Let's face it - unless you are Seth Godin, getting massive traffic to your blog isn't easy, and one can feel a bit isolated and ignored no matter how often they blog.

How does can we stay focused, even when we don't see an immediate payoff? Create one for ourselves that we control. Set a concrete goal - I will write every 2 days, I will do 10 pushups a day, I will make 50 phone calls daily - and set up rewards you know you can follow through on. Maybe its going to a movie, or buying a book, or taking a walk. Something that is important enough to inspire you to action.

Or, go the other way, and set up huge consequences for not fulfilling your goal. Promise to scrub the toilets, or make a home-made dinner, or repaint the living room. As long as it inconveniences and annoys you, you are more likely to do the easier of two choices. Always inspire yourself to action.

I intend to stay focused, and meet a few lofty goals in February. And if I don't, well - lets just say my wife will wonder why I'm cleaning toilets and wiping down shower stalls!