Does your day start with a host of good intentions? Do you plan to accomplish everything on your list, yet find yourself getting distracted more and more as the day goes on? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, I could say welcome to my world!
Self-discipline and focus are qualities we all want to have, but seem to be increasingly elusive in our fast-paced, gotta have it now, world. When you spend a large part of your day on social media sites, it can feel like both of those qualities have gone on permanent vacation.
Fortunately there are actions you can take in order to improve your sense of self-discipline. Here are a few examples for you:
1. Write down what you plan to accomplish.
Whether it’s long- or short-term goals, plans, or just the day’s to-do list, writing it down will help you get it clear in your mind and have a visual reminder. It’s a lot harder to get distracted when the list is sitting right in front of you.
2. Set time limits on your social media platforms.
The best advice I ever got from my more experienced social media colleagues was to set a timer. After a week of working without one, and getting nothing else done I found out why!
Social media tasks will always take longer than you plan if you let them. You’ll start a conversation, or get involved in a tweet chat or a fan page party, and before you know it your whole day is gone. Even with specialized groups just for social media interactions and networking, the day can get away from you if you let it.
Now I set it for 15 minute sprints. One per group or platform. And a max of four in a row before I have to go and do something else. I’d still sit here and play all day long, but that doesn’t get products created or blog posts written.
3. Get help when you need it.
If you have a support group, or even one person you can go to when you need help staying on track it makes the job much easier.
I would go so far as to say, if you don’t have an accountability partner, get one! I had one for a long time, but the life and other commitments got in the way for both of us and I am really missing that early morning interaction.
I would email her my goals in the morning, every morning, and if I didn’t get them done or if she noticed me going off in another direction during the day, she wouldn’t hesitate to give me a virtual butt-kicking to get back on track. And I’m not too proud to say I need that because I have a very short attention span.
After years of working in isolation in front of my computer, I can’t tell you what a difference it makes to my own self-discipline to know that help is just a skype or an e-mail away if I feel myself floundering. It’s also a real boost when I achieve a goal, to have someone there to share the success!
Just because you have a strong sense of self-discipline doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.
4. Most importantly, have enough faith in yourself to know you can do what you set out to do.
You do know you can do whatever you put your mind to, right? If you have any self-doubt on that score, think back to when you were a kid and were determined to have the latest and greatest. You knew without a doubt that you could do it, and nothing was going to stop you.
Tap into that sense of self-belief again and you will find yourself achieving your goals in no time!
There is no secret science to self-discipline. It really is nothing more than a combination of the ability to stay focused, the strength say no when you have to, and the determination to take action and to say yes to doing what needs to be done. We often make it harder than it has to be, but by putting these strategies to work for you, you will find that staying disciplined comes much easier, you won’t get lost in the never-ending maze of social media sites, and those good intentions you start the day with become your reality.
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Great advice. Social media is great but you have to stay focused you you will never get anything done. Know what you are needing to accomplish.
Thanks Terressa! I agree with you … the day’s gotten away from me more than once. :)
My favorite tip here is to set a timer when on social media!! It can be such a time suck and before you know it, an hour is gone, lol! Thanks for the info, really appreciate it!
Thanks Sherie! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. :)
setting time limits will save your social media business!!! it’s so easy to get caught spending time on social networks and not accomplishing much!
Absolutely! You can get lost in the networks way too easily without limits.
Thanks for sharing these great tips. And I really like tip number two.
Thanks Lorii! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. :)
I have to write it down to keep myself on track ! My e-mail and linkedIn requests are getting the best of me though. I have to find a better system !
Same here! I have to keep a running list or I forget what I’m supposed to be doing.
I was sure you wrote this especially for me! Great reminder! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting. :)
Love your suggestions! I make a list of what needs to be accomplished every day, then stick with a schedule so I don’t get stuck endlessly browsing… That timer is a marvelous idea!
Glad you like them! The browsing can get me too. I’m one of those who can follow a trail of links and end up 100 miles from home in a minute. :)
Great list of tips! I set aside multi- tasking time for things that are a time suck like social media and that has been working ok for me :)
Thanks Anita! That’s a great idea, putting time aside just to do social media tasks.
Such great advice, Lena — especially the list for the day and setting time limits!! Thanks so much!
Thanks Lisa! I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Great article Lena, luv the tips!
Thanks Carol Ann! Glad you liked them :)
I like it that you say: the art of self-discipline, because it is an art and when we have mastered it for a great deal, we are well on our way!
Thanks Olga! It is one of those life lessons that holds the key to living fully and living well.
Thanks Lena – I’m just starting out with social media so this is very helpful!!
Thanks Estelle! I’m glad you found it helpful.
I think the most important key is to write down what you want to get done! Being a solo entrepreneur, it’s so easy to just go through my day, floating from one thing to the next and not necessarily tackling the projects that need my attention. On the days I do make a list, though, I go through everything pretty systematically!
I agree Nisha. I kinda did that yesterday. I did all the piddly little tasks first, and then 4 o’clock hit, and I realized the two important things that needed doing hadn’t been started yet. So guess who worked til 1 a.m. last night!
Great tips Lena. I agree the timer was one of the best tips I got for social media!
Thanks Jean! I can’t imagine doing social media without a timer now.
Great advice, Lena. I never thought of using a timer. I often look up and find I have been “playing” for an hour. I will definitely give it a try.
It’s so easy to do that Laurie! Let me know how the timer works for you.
I like your tip about time reminders because the time can slip away very quickly. 15 minute sprints sounds good. I’m going to give this a go!
Thanks Lena!
Let me know how the sprints work for you Carolyn. Some people fine 15 minutes too short, but I get distracted so easily that it works for me.
Great tips! Having a system in place just WORKS! Also, glad you mentioned accountability. That has always been the key to my own success. Like you, the most successful time for me was when I had to check in every single morning and night and be accountable for what I was going to do, what I did, and the results. Amazing what that can do for your business!
Thanks Martha! I found it really helped me because I am not a morning person. Knowing I had to be up and coherent for a morning check-in was a good motivator. :)
Amazing tips, Helena. My worst is social media time. I really do need to get a timer! On my list. Accountability is huge too. We work alone from home but not alone on the web. I love the groups for that. Makes us grow as entrepreneurs! Great post. x0x
Interesting how almost everyone has an issue with social media eating up time if we’re not careful! Wonder what that says about us … BTW, the timer idea is a great one and it works, but I do 20 minutes …
Good point Sharon! That opens up a whole other conversation doesn’t it? I’m glad the timer works for you. I think it all comes down to personal preference, how long you set it for. We each have to find what works for us to get the best results. I get ants in my pants after about five minutes, so forcing myself to sit and focus for 15 can be a real stretch. :)