If you have lack of focus in achieving your goals, your business will suffer. Your tasks will take longer because they will be compromised by distractions and wasted time.
I'm a sucker for distractions, especially with having my own internet business. My lack of focus often keeps me from achieving my goals.
For example while in the middle of doing a task it's not unusual for me to hop over to check my email, chat on Twitter, check my sales stats and who knows what, and it seems I do this unconsciously.
Anyone who has an internet business knows what this feels like. You've got tasks and goals for the day but completing them can be severely impacted by the lack of focus.
For me it's only been in the last few years that I began making a task list for each month and each day. I use to keep ideas for tasks in my head, believe it or not. I finally got smart and at least started jotting them down, but that really wasn't enough. I finally made a conscious effort to keep a daily calendar where I not only write the tasks down I also assign them a time for completion.
When I first struggled with my lack of focus, one thing that really helped was to take 2 or 3 days and write down everything I did. At first that may seem like an even a bigger waste of time, but for me it was an eye opener; one day I actually spent an hour on Twitter. "Twitter, I love ya, but you can be time waster".
If you're not already scheduling your tasks each day, get started doing this. Write your tasks for each day and give each task a realistic time limit. If you write articles for example, you know how long it takes you so give yourself a realistic time frame to get it done.
Also write you task list the old fashioned way, with pen and paper. Keep it next to you or tack it on a wall in front of you. There's nothing like having your tasks in plain view to keep you on track.
Now this might sound weird, but one of the biggest distractions, especially for an internet business owner, is the internet itself. For example, I research, write articles, review sites, etc. and just the act of doing those things can lead to distractions that take you off track and waste your time.
I recently found an article in Dosh Dosh that touched on that very topic, it was called "How to Achieve Your Goals by Changing the Way You Surf the Web ". It gave me some great ideas about how to surf efficiently, namely archiving what you find useful, using swipe files and making efficient use of bookmarking tools. All ideas I'll be considering 
Email is also a big distraction, and it's not just me. Lots of people allow email to rob them of precious time. Like your phone, it can be hard to ignore. The best remedy for email distraction is to designate a specific time of day to read and respond to emails.
I personally have resolved to not check my email until I have completed my first 2 or 3 tasks for the day. That forces me to get to work first thing while I'm alert and have the most energy.
Organization is a great start to keeping your focus. Clean up your desk. Organize your books and papers so they're easily accessible. If you're organized you'll get more done. If it takes you twice as long to find something than it should, you'll be distracted and your focus will be gone.
This goes for your online data as well. Keep your files in a place where they are easily accessible and use desktop icons to access the things you use every day.
If you want to be productive and profitable, don't risk a lack of focus. It takes practice but it will help you achieve your goals, keep your business profitable and also keep you from working more hours than are necessary.
After all, my ultimate goal is to work less and profit more. I'm thinking it's the same for you 
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Isn’t it terrible to be plagued with being so easily distracted? I have a great looking home office in my mind, but taking the time to get it organized in the manner that would promote a better working environment escapes me. In fact, I almost come to a total stall when I have to face it.
It definitely does get in the way of staying on task and seeing a project through to completion.
The email tip is a helpful one but it was necessary for me to be aware of the time differences between clients and myself. Being about as far west as you can get in the US, New York is 6 hours ahead of me. I’ve had to make emails one of the first tasks of the day or a full day would pass before my reply would be received. And we know how impatient some can be.
Just finished reading the DoshDosh post you mentioned which is quite a read but tremendously useful. I have found myself getting distracted especially on blogs as cross referencing is a natural part. Not this case
Twitter: melvapratt
says:
This post is very timely for me. I have been thinking about getting everything I want done in a given day. The email sugestion is a good one. I will also be making a list of what I want to get done daily and weekly. I already limit my twitter activity.
Great information thank you.
Yes, I know what you’re talking about as this response is created from one of these distractions.
I stumbled up your site and started reading as i was curious where Derek Gehl did end up.
I thought he was retired but it appears that he is still active within IMC but more from the CEO site and overseeing all that happens.
Hello,
I’m working at home too. Sometimes I cannot concentrate on my work. I always check my email, Facebook and Twitter. The worst is Facebook, I spend 50% of my time on it
Same here, I am a freelance online marketing specialist working from home and I must say it has its own ups and downs. Of course I can work at my own pace, it’s just that distractions are everywhere and I have a hard time focusing on one task a day. Thanks for the post, such an eye opener for me.
Twitter: bellevuecarpet
says:
I think this is a real challenge for those of us who work online. There are so many things to look up and read online that you can easily waste a lot of your day getting nothing accomplished.
I’m working at home too. Sometimes it is not easy to work. I always check my email, Facebook and Twitter. moreover my husband and the phone! I have to better determine my schedule of work for not wasting time.
Ana, it’s a real discipline to turn off all the noise and focus but it you can you’ll certainly get more done but also you’ll have a lot more free time. Hang in there
I suffer the same, I just can not break away from my desk! Even though I know I have things I need to get done.. my day is gone staring into my monitor. Sometimes you need to just pull yourself away from the computer and say wow I really need to stop doing this to myself I need to get organized about this..
Robert