Stay focused

Citation

(2009), "Stay focused", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 23 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/dlo.2009.08123aad.003

Stay focused

Article Type: Abstracts From: Development and Learning in Organizations, Volume 23, Issue 1

Waller D. Management Today, July 2008, Start page: 56, No. of pages: 4

Purpose – to address the importance of maintaining a clear view of the future and working life goals. Design/methodology/approach – suggests that for entrepreneurs, focus is generated naturally by the need to keep the business cogs turning, but for those working as employees of large organizations, any sense of purpose can get lost in the daily distractions of e-mails, a BlackBerry, a pushy boss, demanding clients, social networks and other everyday tasks. Warns of the dangers of sinking into a reactive mode, simply dealing with things that get thrown at you, with no proactive pursuit of future goals. Considers the benefits of being able to work out who you are, what your priorities are, and where you plan to be in five years time; and the view that by simply identifying exactly what you want, and staying focused on it, you become more aware of all the things happening every day that may relate to it. Acknowledges that in a technology-driven fast-moving environment, staying focused on the task in hand is increasingly tricky and that nowhere is the sense of being pulled in several conflicting directions more acute than in running one’s own business. Offers ten suggestions for maintaining razor-sharp focus: work out what you want to achieve; slow down; keep a tidy desk; build a routine; approach tasks properly; set up a trusted to-do list to keep things out of your head; take a break; stay fresh; do not camp in your in-box; and have fun. Originality/value – adds to the much-visited issue of adopting a focused approach to the current activities and future goals. ISSN: 0025-1925 Reference: 37AT089

Keywords: Career development, Goals, Personal needs, Work organization