The other day I had a conversation I have often.

My friend was working on various projects, making some progress, but not the results they were looking for.

You’ve probably heard that you can be a jack-of-all-trades, yet master of none.

I’ve dealt with it myself when I have 15+ projects I want to get done, think I have to schedule time for each of them each week. But, that doesn’t work out for me, as I tend to end up feeling overwhelmed, while making little headway.

What does work is much less dramatic. It comes down to asking myself a simple question:

How FAR do I want to go?

F.A.R. = Focused Action leads to my Result

Pretty simple really. But not necessarily easy.

It means being like the plate spinner at the circus. What does the plate spinner do? You know the guy who gets 10 plates spinning at the same time.

Does he try spinning all 10 plates at the same time?

Of course not, it’s obvious, he would become very frustrated, very quickly… and fail.

No, the plate-spinner gets one plate spinning before attempting to get the 2nd plate spinning. Once he does this, he goes back and makes sure the 1st plate is still spinning, gives it a few more spins, then moves on to the 3rd plate.

Implications for you?

If you’re trying to:
- Get some videos made
- Write articles
- Book speaking engagements
- Work on proposals
- Update your website… oh, you get the idea.

Pick one thing, get it ‘spinning’ and then move on to the next one.

Even if you just spent one week per activity, how do you think your results would be affected?

How FAR do you want to go today?

To Your Millionaire!

David

PS – If you’re having trouble “picking the first one” you may want to consider the Focus Module to help you choose.

David Koons | Let Your Millionaire Out - Success Secrets of High Achievers

Master these elements and harness the power of having laser-sharp focus.

When I discovered and used the key focus factors below, I transformed my scattered energy into highly concentrated effort and began to burn through my obstacles.  I achieved more each week then I used to in a month.

Let me explain…

I used to have many projects going at one time.  I was figuring out how to increase sales, hire people, study marketing, exercise, spend quality time with my family.  I felt completely scattered and ineffective.

It seemed that although I had a lot going on, I had little to show for it.  That all changed when I discovered and mastered essential elements to achieve laser-sharp focus.

It’s not about balance…

I hear that word thrown around as if it’s some kind of elixir.  Sure, it’s a nice concept, but from my perspective, misunderstood.

Balance does not mean equal and that’s the big mis-perception.  When you struggle with focus, chances are it’s because you’re trying to do it all.

You’re trying to get too many things done at once.

When I was building my first multi-million dollar business, I worked most of the time and spent much less time exercising or being with a significant other.

That was the choice I made for the results I wanted (more money).  So, I was in balance, but work occupied most of my time.

When training for Ironman Triathlons (I’ve done four so far), I exercise about 20 hours per week (swimming, biking, running, weights and stretching).

This demands more of my time, so I work less, spend less time with family and more time sleeping (recovering from all that training). I was in balance, but a large chunk of time was spent training.

With my family, business and exercise routine, I’m constantly fine-tuning how to focus my energy and arranging my priorities.

You see, when you make the choices based on your priorities and from a position of strength, then you’re in balance.

If you make your choices from fear and obligation, then you’re probably “out of balance.”

So, what can you do now?

In dealing with my own ability to develop laser-sharp focus, I developed two things that you can use right now to bring more focus to you life.

1. Follow a daily success ritual. Consider the Daily Power Start as described in the Let Your Millionaire Out Success System.
2. Become a student of Focus Strategies. For Faster Results, do the Daily Power Start and master the strategies in the Focus Module

David Koons | Let Your Millionaire Out - Success Secrets of High Achievers

Getting, or staying focused, is one of the more common questions I receive from entrepreneurs and small business owners. You, no doubt, have dozens of distractions each day.

The trick is learning how to ‘say no’ or otherwise keep these distractions from side-tracking you. It’s one of the main benefits of the Let Your Millionaire Out Success System and Focus Module.

It’s the difference between “doing something” and “wanting to do something.”

In addition to the many resources on my site, I like to broaden my own perspectives by staying up to date on the latest news, lessons and strategies of others… and share them with you. That way, you can rely on just one source to scan the internet and keep you up-to-date on the latest news.

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Improve Your Focus – The Myth of Multitasking | Productivity501

Often a significant amount of time is spent just getting to the point where you can begin to actually do efficient work by having the proper focus. Even if it only takes you 5 minutes to get back into the right mental context, …

Publish Date: 07/12/2010 11:56

http://www.productivity501.com/the-power-of-focus/8085/

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You can’t fix it if you keep focused on how broke it is

All these statements will do is keep me focused on the fact that my car is broke. What should I be doing, when my car is broke down? I need to be focused on: Getting it fixed. Getting the money to pay for getting it fixed. …

Publish Date: 07/12/2010 12:54

http://blog.mannynowak.com/?p=34

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Getting Focused At Work – Andrew Maxwell

I started to use the timer on my iPhone and set it for 15 to 30 minutes, during this time I would not do anything except for the one subject that I wanted to focus on. After a few days I have noticed that I am able to get twice as much …

Publish Date: 07/01/2010 18:02

http://www.andrewcmaxwell.com/2010/07/getting-focused-at-work/

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Are You Focused? – Carol The Coach Blog

Secondly, people who master their goals have incredible focus. They keep their concentration on making the dream a reality, which ends up propelling them towards on-going efforts to get to the goal. unfortunately, many people give up …

Publish Date: 07/12/2010 8:18

http://www.carolthecoach.com/blog/?p=60

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stop using “work” to procrastinate

So how do you stop getting distracted by “pretend work” and start focusing on the tasks that will legitimately grow your business and make you more money? First, you have to ask yourself why you’re compelled to focus on these lesser …

Publish Date: 07/12/2010 6:27

http://www.craftmba.com/2010/07/12/stop-using-work-to-procrastinate/

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David Koons | Let Your Millionaire Out - Success Secrets of High Achievers

Harness the Power of Focus to Achieve Breakthrough Levels of Success.

By following these key success factors, you too, can achieve unmatched levels of mental focus.

But First…

I remember how I used to read five books at a time, yet never finish any of them.

I was in a constant state of frustration because I just couldn’t seem to finish a book – or project for that matter.

The frustration got so bad one day, that I threw all the books sitting on on my bedside table, to the ground. I committed, right then and there, to achieving greater mental focus and concentration.

I looked down at the books on the floor and realized something had to change (me).  I knew that different results require different actions.

I gathered the books up, put them back in the bookshelf and committed to discover and learn the secrets to rock-solid concentration.  No more was I going to start a book, only to start another and another before I finished any of them.

On the Path…

My research lead me to many different courses, programs and yes, even books. I studied everything I could get my hands on.  One thing quickly became clear.

When reading something I felt I “should” be reading, I was setting myself up for failure.

When reading something I felt passionate about, I had a much greater likelihood of completing (and retaining) the information.

A Subtle Change…

When I mastered the key success factors to achieving laser-sharp focus, I began reading one book at a time.

I remember how great I felt when I finished that first book – all the way through.

I felt like a new person. I literally slammed the book shut and jumped in the air I was so excited!

Well, pretty soon I was finishing one book per week. I was delighted with my success and the new information I was learning and applying in my life.

What About You…

How would you benefit from similar results?

Would you feel better about yourself?  Would you feel better about your investments?

Here’s the Cool Part…

The Focus Strategies I mastered and the Focus Factors necessary to achieving laser-sharp concentration can be applied to more then just books.

They can apply to those home-study programs, e-books and numerous other programs, products and information that has piled up over the years.

The Power of Focus, when integrated into your daily actions, can become a tremendous force to burn through obstacles and create permanent and lasting change in your life.

To Your Millionaire!

David Koons
LetYourMillionaireOut.com

Related articles

• Success Secret: Do This Before Anything Else (letyourmillionaireout.com)
• Six Core Competencies of an Entrepreneur (freeagentcoach.com)
• How to Improve Your Self Esteem (Part I) (freeagentcoach.com)

David Koons | Let Your Millionaire Out - Success Secrets of High Achievers

“If you don’t know where you’re going any road will take you there.”

~ Lewis Caroll

Oh how very true this quote is to me.

When I was in college, I didn’t feel inspired to go, but felt “obligated” to go.

You see, I wanted to join the Marines (US Military) after high school, but I allowed my parents to persuade me “going to college and getting a good education.”

Besides, as they described, “how else are you going to get a good job without an education.”

So, for the first couple of years, I did what I thought I “should” be doing, rather then following my heart to where I felt compelled to go.

Have You Ever Felt Like This Diagram “Looks?”

For me, I felt lost, frustrated and downright unhappy following “their” path.

This quote reminds me of the importance of doing what I am inspired to do AND knowing what that is – because it implies the futility of not following your life direction or knowing what it is.  This can be referred to as your path.

It’s why we do the Power Start as part of the Let Your Millionaire Out Success System.  It’s designed to help you get clear over time.

Get clear, and focus follows… if you avoid choosing, avoid committing, your life will “feel” like this diagram looks… and that’s no fun, is it?

Learn more about the Power Start and the Let Your Millionaire Out Success System here.

David Koons | Let Your Millionaire Out - Success Secrets of High Achievers

Time management is one of the biggest challenges you may face.

Staying focused until the ‘job is done’ is easier said then done.

I’m considered an expert in time management, and every time I consult with someone, I have to smile.

You see, I have to be real honest about this.  I used to be the worst at staying focused and managing my time.

I used to be busy all day, only to look back and realize I didn’t accomplish a single, productive thing.

Time definitely managed me.

No task, no matter how great or small, was accomplished by me.  I was more then frustrated – I was unproductive and not getting what I wanted.

Back then, I was without purpose, trying the ‘latest thing’ and spending a heck of a lot of time, energy and money – with little to share for it.

One of the first things I learned,  when I committed to overcoming this non-supportive habit, was to block time each day to focus on my highest income producing activities.

It’s where you set aside, an hour, two or more, to work on something like marketing.

And here’s the extra lesson I learned about managing this time.

You have to guard it like your life (or livelihood) depends on it – because it does.

What do I mean?

Let’s say you set aside 2 hours to work on your newsletter.

My suggestion would be to:

• turn off email
• turn off your web browser
• turn off your cell phone
• close your office door and let your assistant know you’re in ‘do not disturb’ mode
• set a timer (egg timers work great) for 15-30 minute bursts
• stay focused on your task despite your wandering mind
• and keep your phone, email, browser, etc OFF the whole time

Then allow yourself 15-30 minutes after the block, to check emails, voicemails, etc.

If done long enough, you’ll find you need to check email, voicemail etc, much less.  Over time, this time management technique seems effortless because you realize you don’t need to check these things so often.  I frequently go 24 hours or more without checking because I’m so focused.

Start small and build this muscle.  If this is new, start with a 15 or 30 minute block of time in the morning, then one in the afternoon – if you can manage.

Build up from there.  As you get better at managing your time, you’ll naturally build these blocks into everyday.  I set appointments with myself in my calendar.  What techniques can you use?

Remember, time management does not have to be difficult.  By setting blocks of time aside each day to work on your highest income producing activities, managing your time becomes effortless.

To Your Millionaire!

P.S.  The Focus Module can help you master more time management tips and techniques.

P.P. S. – Share your experience below or a challenge you need help with.

David Koons | Let Your Millionaire Out - Success Secrets of High Achievers

Stop looking at time management as a time issue.

It’s not.

How can I be so sure?

Because we all have the same amount of time.  24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.  You’re working with the same amount, it’s how you manage yourself that is the key.  The other day I was speaking with several clients all struggling with the same issues.

Perhaps you’ve been there… or are there now.

Feeling overwhelmed by projects, pressed by time and an inability to know the next right action to take.

You’ve probably felt this way before, and I can guarantee you’ll feel this way again, that’s not the issue.  The issue is how do you get rid of this feeling and get productive again.

Here are Two Quick Strategies…

1.  BRAIN DUMP all your ideas, thoughts, projects, To Do’s and everything else weighing on your mind onto a sheet of paper.   Once written down, go through and prioritize your list from 1 to as many as you’ve written.  Start at #1 and do one task at a time until complete.  This is also a great strategy for all those home study programs on your shelf and ebooks on your computer.  I did this the other month and had 12 ebooks or programs I had forgotten I had.  In the last month, I’ve completed 7 of them already!

By the way, the two ways to do this with the Let Your Millionaire Out Success System is daily with the “My Ideal Day” form, and periodically with the “Catch-All” form.

2.  Create Your Ideal Day.  By creating your ideal day, one of your chunks of time can be dedicated to personal or professional growth.  If not daily, perhaps you could dedicate a chunk of time weekly.  Either way, when you make dedicated time (and stick to it) you give yourself permission “not” to think about all those things when it’s not time to work on them.

When these two techniques are combined, you’ve created a very powerful and effective method to get more done and feel less guilty in the process.??That’s time management you can count on.  To learn more about these and other strategies to better focus your efforts, check out the Focus Module.

To Your Millionaire!

David

P.S. – Check your email about the next Feedback Friday call happening Friday, November 6

David Koons | Let Your Millionaire Out - Success Secrets of High Achievers