Opinion: Deal with distractions before it’s too late

You start the day. You know what you want and how you are going to get it.

Then, a series of interruptions and “got a minutes” suck every minute of your day.

Distractions can destroy the best intentions and leave you wondering, “What the heck happened?” Over time, the impact on your business, and your life, can be disheartening – or devastating. What to do?

I’m a shiny-objects girl. I’m not naturally focused or organized. When presented with a page of text, I start reading right in the middle. I have to use my finger or a ruler to stay on track with financials or a spreadsheet.

However, I’ve learned how to get focused enough to make some really cool things happen. I’ve adapted and developed a few skills. I’m happy to share what works for me to keep distractions from derailing my life, because if I can get focused enough, then anyone can.

First, let me define what distraction means to me. A distraction is something that keeps you from the highest purpose or mission. Imagine a point on the horizon.

At that point is your vision of what your best life, and business, can be. Your intention on that point helps you ignore stuff that gets in the way of what you really want.

Tip 1. Get really clear on what you want to be, do and have.

The more clarity you have about your vision, your mission and your why, the easier it is to see if you are moving toward it or away from it.

Tip 2. When a distraction rears its head, consider, “Is there anything I can do about this?” If not, let it go.

The only person you can change is you. Isn’t that a liberating realization? If yes, ask, “What is required now? What can wait?” If it can wait, make sure you jot down your intended follow-up action on your to-do list or on your calendar.

Tip 3. Ask bigger questions.

When a distracting situation appears, ask, “What do we want and why?” Consider what a good outcome could be for the immediate situation and in the long run before you jump into any response.

For instance, Suzy calls in sick to work. What do you want and why?

You want to cover her shift so that you can serve customers. OK, do that. You want to find out if Suzy is all right and whether any disciplinary action is required. Do that. Don’t ask little questions like, “Can you believe that Suzy is pulling this nonsense? Does she think I’m an idiot?” Small questions devolve into a whole lot of drama. Asking bigger questions can save tons of time and energy.

Tip 4. Let peace begin with you. If you want fewer distractions, stop being distracting. You get back what you give out. Are you a “seagull manager”? That means you fly in, poop and fly off. Do you walk through the office with interruptions and “got a minutes”? Let peace begin with you. This is where meetings come in. Start meetings on time, have an agenda, include the appropriate people and end on time.

Then, you can address an interruption with, “Could that wait for the meeting?” And you can empower your team to ask you that question, too! Not everything is an emergency.

Ellen Rohr is an author and business consultant offering profit-building tips, trending business blogs and online workshops at EllenRohr.com. Her books include “Where Did the Money Go?” and “The Bare Bones Weekend Biz Plan.” She can be reached at ellen@ellenrohr.com.