Strap on the Horse Blinders

The good thing is we can have access to all the information available in the world through internet technology. The bad thing is we can have all the information available in the world through internet technology.

How do you focus? We are like a 10 year old in a toy store with a moving van and unlimited cash -- we want to grab all we can. For some it's the personal stuff like gaming, self help and chatrooms. For others its sports pools, polls, fantasy updates and instant news as if you could almost smell the locker room. Then you have the news junkies, the TV/movie junkies, the foodies, well you get the drift.

To use this wonderful tool without letting it take us off task, derail our momentum or cost us productivity we have to focus like never before. Set up a few rules for yourself.

1. Avoid Bright Shiny Objects

It is so easy to find the new and cool and chase those bright shiny objects that will take you far off course. If you see something in your internet travels that really grabs your attention bookmark it for a later visit. Set up your bookmark folders for personal and work related distractions but, don't forget they are all distractions from the task at hand.

2. Social Networking

The growth of sites such as facebook and twitter and all the apps that can overwhelm your desktop can keep you in a constant stream of information and updates from friends and followers, not to mention the links to stories and related information. As much as I love these tools, I find myself losing hours at a stretch when I get sucked into online conversations and threads of discussions. Either find the discipline to participate only on a work related level or turn it off until you have recreation time to participate. For home-based businesses I see these sites as killing productivity under the guise of business networking. Monitor your social networking time.

3. Email monitoring

With my blackberry, google groups, twitter and facebook activities I am getting roughly 300 emails a day. This becomes an overwhelming flow of information that makes it impossible to focus if I feel each new email must be checked. Set aside times to check in to monitor your email. If it is that critical for an immediate response you would've received a phone call. Email can sit until you finish your train of thought, project or meeting.

I have no issue being disconnected while delivering a program for a client because I know my presentation would be awful if I kept stopping to check email, respond to a tweet or post something on facebook. The flow of work at your job is just the same. Work to build momentum, and if need be, put on horse blinders so you can focus and really get meaningful work accomplished.