“Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing ‘till it gets there.” ~Josh Billings

The problem: you have a job, a project, a task you need to get done. Time is wasting away while you find 50 other things to do instead. What are the things that are holding you back…stopping you from completing what you really want to do?

Did someone make a negative comment that you can’t stop thinking about? Was it a punch in the gut that made you re-examine everything you’ve already done? Are you questioning your ability to complete the mission? Are you suffering from imposter syndrome? I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds these types of focus issues impeding my progress at times.

A book called How to GetFocused in an Age of Distraction by Scott Scheper has put me on the right track. Instead of writing long lists for each day, I write a list of only two tasks. The first task is the most critical to finish. I set a self-imposed stopping time for my work day. If I spend all day getting it done, I will still accomplish the task, and I am done for the day.

If I get it done very early, I tackle the second item on the list. When I reach my stopping time, I am done for the day whether the second task is finished or not.

This allows me to have work-life balance while still getting stuff done on a daily basis.

Be like the postage stamp; focus on one task and stick to that task only until it’s done!