Finding focus

Do you ever feel stuck?  Do you find it hard to focus on what you really need to do? Perhaps you feel like you are on a treadmill going through the day's activities without real clarity and purpose?

This has been my experience recently. I struggled to complete a task which I usually enjoy doing and I didn't know why. Instead I got distracted doing other tasks and felt frustrated that I hadn't achieved what I had set out to do.

After some soul searching and reflection, I discovered what was going on for me and how to move forward. The solution was quite clear!

I needed clarity about my goals.

Earlier that week I had spent time reviewing and goal setting for 2017. I hadn't managed to complete the exercise, which left things unresolved. I needed clarity on my goals in order to prioritise which tasks were the most important. This would provide the focus I needed.

Once I completed the goal-setting exercise my focus was clear. I was then able to complete the task I had been struggling with. I knew why the task was important and how it fitted in with my overall plans of what I wanted to achieve.

Stephen Covey said, 'begin with the end in mind'. If we can see the bigger picture of what we want to achieve, setting goals will enable us to achieve our dreams.

Goal setting is one of the most important tools for personal and professional development. The process enables you to get stuff done but also offers the opportunity to learn as you move forward.

The benefits of setting goals

Setting goals allows you to:

Make your dreams a reality - the great quote, 'a goal is a dream with a deadline', is all about mapping out how you are going to achieve your dreams and when. The process of setting goals turns our dreams into reality.

See the bigger picture - spending time reflecting on what you would like to achieve in your personal and professional life enables you to set goals for different areas of your life and see the big picture.

Create a plan - a goal setting exercise provides you with a clear plan, with actionable steps and time scales. Having a plan will take you from where you are now to where you want to be.

Be more effective and to make better use of your time  - goal setting allows you to be purposeful because you know what you want to achieve and how you will do this.

Get out of your comfort zone - setting goals encourages you to try new challenges. When you rise to a challenge this brings confidence and growth.

Deal with distractions  - when you have a clear plan, you will find it easier to stay focused and get things done without procrastinating. This is because you know what you want to do and why it is important.

Get off the treadmill -  having clarity about your goals enables you to do what is important rather than carrying on mindlessly.

Conclusion

Setting goals, in our personal and professional lives, provides the focus necessary to get things done. We are no longer on a treadmill, instead we are purposely acting with intention.

When we take time out of our busy lives to dream and set goals, we achieve the clarity and focus required to reach our goals and be fulfilled in our personal and professional lives.

So, if you are struggling to find your focus and get things done, why don't you spend some time considering what is important to you and set your personal and professional goals for 2017?

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog

My name is Diane Benson and I support busy professional women in their personal and professional development.

I am passionate about working with women to achieve more fulfilment in their lives. I provide support for you to achieve a healthy work and life balance, reduce stress, build resilience and be more effective.

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