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As I continue to grow my affiliate business, it can be very hard to stay focused.
I have a million and one things I could do in a given day and at the end of the day, there is always more to be done.
So in order to not make projects take years to complete, I force myself to stay focused.
The method that has been working really well for me recently is taking a small period of time each day and making a list of things that I would like to accomplish and ideas for future projects.
I then try to categorize them into urgency using an A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, etc method. I get all the A projects done and then move onto the B's and so on.
Keeping an organized list of things needing to be done can really increase productivity and reduce time it takes to launch (potentially) profitable websites. The more I launch, optimize, tweak, study, etc the more money I make, the closer I am to my goals.
How do you stay focused and efficient?
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Funny that I should stumble onto this post as I recently written posts almost exactly like this!
I use priority lists as well, but I also trim out the “dead” items that I eventually recognize as not going to happen.
Actually I have a “goals” list and a “todo” list…which are completely separated from each other (though similar in nature).
My “todo” or priority list is in Google Docs, but I print it off and keep in my wallet. that way I “manually” update it and then later update the Google Doc.
Cheers.
This is one of the best time and organizational tools. Its comes from the book Eat that frog by Brain Tracy , you an even download the ipod audio book at itunes. I highly recommend this to anyone.
Another way that i stay focused is to turn off messenger, skype ,twitter, Aim, yahoo messenger when i am trying to focus on a key task , an A1-B1. Another way i stay focused is a clean desk. I am just trying now to go paperless (via primopdf) at my desk so far its pretty hard. But when i have a clean desk i work better and more efficient for sure. I also downloaded turbonote where you can make post it notes on your desktop.
I guess this is my hardest task of the day is to stay organized and motivated everyday.
To be organized is the key of success, for everything you want to do. Also writing your priorities in a dashboard could help you to stay focused on your things
I used to use OmniFocus. Its a good tool for people handling a bunch of task. For me it was too much, a simple ToDo list works.
I’ve been using ‘ToDoist.com’ for quite a while and it’s definitely help me stay organised. Maybe it’s time for you to take on some more staff?
Try todoist.com it’s a great way to organize projects and tasks. It’s done in a simple google-like way. I use todoist along with google notebook to keep track of my tasks and organize all these great tips from Jonathan.
This is an area that I’m really focusing on.
What’s helping me is my Planner Pad. I’m able to list goals for week, days & hourly activity. I can’t imagine working without it. http://www.plannerpad.com
Tim
Jonathan, Very timely post. I’m having this problem as well. Fortunately I went to BlogWorld Expo 2008 and just stopped everything for five days. Info-overload and email distractions are my biggest enemy in my almost three month old on-line business. I do all my Twitter and email in the first hour each morning, finish up at night unless an important email or twitter needs action immediately at mid-day.
I set alarms on my PDA to remind me of appointments etc. Respectfully, Nicholas
Great post Jon!
I liked the A1, A2… Method!, thanks for sharing.
- Claudio
Yes! The advantage of working for yourself is you have the power to decide what you are going to do next. The disadvantage of working for yourself is that you have the power to decide what you are going to do next.
The only way I have found to be productive is to plan out the day/week and prioritize-it gives a great sense of accomplishment to cross off each goal and see that list get smaller, and helps the creative mind to focus.
Great-great-great examples! That’s what I needed. Tnx!!!
I find jotting things down in order I need to do them is great to stay focused. You get the satisfaction of crossing them off the list once completed
I’m just having trouble finding the time amongst other projects and my day job to really concentrate on affiliate marketing – I need to seen as my campaign just died on me for no reason.
[...] Staying Focused by Jonathan On Jonathan Volk dot Com. [...]
Dude, you’re asking the wrong person. I have so many things on my plate that I can barely focus on one! But I “try” to do something similar to what you do except when I try to priortize, it kinda falls through the cracks.
Jay
Losing focus is a real killer isn’t it? I mean, you have to do so much stuff but u just sit there procrastinating, and then at the end of the day wonder why nothing is done
Thanks for the head-up Jon.
am really dealing with procrastination now and i find it useful to just do things as soon as they come to mind.
Helps me get things accomplished.
Roby