This article comes from Entrepreneur.

Taking These Actions Will Stop Distractions

Here are some of the distractions we fool ourselves into thinking are necessary — and how to substitute effective action instead.

1. Gathering too much information

“The result of information overload is usually a distraction, and it dilutes your focus and takes you off your game” — Zig Ziglar.

We all must stay informed about our industry, markets, economy and current trends. But how much do you really need to know before acting on it? Constantly gathering more and more information or more opinions from others is a time waster.

Effective action: Get the essential information you need, then pull the trigger.

2. Being available 24/7

Many entrepreneurs have an “open door policy” with their teams. While this may build camaraderie, it can distract you and your staff. We also want our clients to feel like we’re “there” for them whenever they need us. So, they feel free to text or call at the drop of a hat! Stop interrupting what you’re doing to answer every request!

Effective action: Set up specific times when your clients and team know you’ll respond to emails and calls and when you’re available.

3. Getting caught up in busyness

“The challenge for so many of us is that we are so deep into … “being busy, busy” that we miss out on those moments and opportunities that — if jumped on — would get our careers and personal lives to a whole new level of wow,” — Robin S. Sharma.

Every business has mundane nuts and bolts that need to be handled, and, honestly, those routine tasks can be a lot less pressure than making sales calls or creating new products. But as an entrepreneur, your job is to be the visionary who sees the big picture and guides the ship forward, innovates and anticipates. You can’t do that if you spend hours creating invoices or getting shipping quotes.

Effective action: Either find someone else to do the busy work or implement systems to handle them.

4. Sweating the small stuff

Worrying about things you can’t control or your mistakes in the past is a huge distraction from taking positive action now. Wondering if the wording in your last email blast was perfect or stressing over whether your presentation is better than your competitor’s, is a complete waste of time. As the leader in your business, you and your brain have many more important things to focus on.

Effective action: Learn from the past, then forget it. Prioritize action over perfection. Improve what you can and accept what you can’t.

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