8 Ways Top Entrepreneurs Maintain Focus and Crush their Goals

In today’s fast-paced 24/7 world, it can be hard for business owners to remain focused. Calls, texts and emails come in at all hours of the day and social media needs constant attention. And that’s before you make a dent in the tasks you really want to complete. We asked a group of successful entrepreneurs how they maintain focus when things around them are happening at a fast and furious pace. Here are eight of their top secrets to success.

At the same time, Millennials are demanding different retail experiences than generations before them and businesses have had the hardest time marketing, selling and gaining loyalty with this dominant group of buyers. Here are 8 tips to help you tap into this large group of consumers as a source to grow your business.

1. Cancel out the noise.

If you are constantly checking your email, how do you expect to get anything done? Several business owners told us that they don’t look at it first thing in the morning. Instead, they immediately tackle their to do list and book a window later in the day to clear out their inbox. By the time they’re reading and responding to messages, they’ve already completed the most important tasks for that day.

2. Do one thing at a time.

Chasing too many things at once means you are not giving 100% of your attention to anything. Instead, book time in your schedule for priority projects. Continue to prioritize what is at the top of your list and move things around as necessary.

3. Leave room for spontaneity.

This advice comes from one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, Warren Buffet. He leaves lots of open space in his calendar so that he has unstructured time to be spontaneous. By not filling up every minute of every day, he can take meetings with just a day’s notice.

4. Take a break.

If you’ve been working intensely on something for a long time, step away from it and give yourself a bit of a breather. Even if it’s just a few minutes to grab a drink of water, stretch or take a short walk, you’ll come back with renewed vigor.

5. Put away your phone.

Don’t let electronic devices distract you when you’re in a meeting. This will allow you to give 100% of your attention to the people and matters at hand.

“I have a personal policy that any time I’m with someone – at a meeting, dinner, or over a drink – I will never check my phone or watch, and make sure to keep 100% focus on the person,” said Dave Rusenko, founder of Weebly, in a recent interview. “This carries into our meetings. We have a saying at the office during meetings, ‘laptops down’. Unless you’re the presenter, the rule is everyone needs to shut their laptop in the meeting. It allows the person to be physically and mentally present.”

6. Take small steps towards a big goal.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Similarly, you can’t complete a huge project in a day either. Maybe you want to open a new location, hire a bigger team, complete a complicated project or IPO your company. If you keep working at it with your eye on the prize, you’ll get there before you know it. Just do one thing each day to keep yourself moving in that direction.

7. Be consistent with your efforts.

Don’t look for instant gratification. While you’re taking small steps towards that big goal, be sure to bring your ‘A game’ every single day. By being consistent in a way that adds value, you’ll see results much more quickly.

8. Take care of yourself.

Even when you’re busy, it’s important to get enough sleep, eat well and keep moving. These things will bring balance to your life so you’re always feeling your best.

If you’ve made it through this blog, you’re well on you way to maintaining focus! Now, block out that noise, focus on what’s most important and keep moving forward with purpose. Before you know it, you’ll be crushing your biggest goals and further advancing your dream business.