Just in case this is a lost in translation post, when I say "blinkers" I am talking about those eye patches horses wear when pulling carriages, so all they see is what's in front and they aren't distracted by other traffic and general busy-ness going on around them. Blinkers give a single focus. They don't pretend nothing else is happening, they just allow you (or the horse!) to block it out to make it easy to only look ahead at where you're going.
I need blinkers sometimes (OK—all the time) as I am one of those creative types who has a million ideas a minute and would try and do all of them given half the chance. But you know what they say about Jack of all trades, and that's the same as being pulled in every direction you can think of, as you never actually get anywhere...
So here's what I'm assuming—that you want to get 'somewhere' with your Thing and your business. You want to get known and sought after for what you do that's brilliant. You want people to come to you for your Thing, and get paid for doing it.
Blinkers will get you there faster, more easily (yes) and more brilliantly.
If you are focused on where you are going, it's pretty obvious you'll get there more directly as you'll be looking ahead all the time towards your destination—no detours or distractions on the way.
If you know you want to be where you want to be then don't lose sight of it. Sometimes it might rain, or be a foggy day, and it might be hard to see where you're heading (I'm in metaphor land now) BUT that doesn't mean that just because today you can't see it that your destination isn't there.
What this looks like in business is getting distracted by every new way to market or promote your Thing. What this looks like in business is changing your ideal clients and market niche every 5 minutes. What this looks like in business is launching something new every month and wondering why it's not selling...
You need to focus
You need to plan the plan then execute the plan then review the plan then (and only then) can you do a new plan. But the new plan will still be about getting to the same destination as the first plan (unless you've got there already).
Being distracted is something I am very good at—pretty impressively good at, actually (see previous note about being a creative type). But I put blinkers on—actually, for me, the blinkers are my coach and my own will power to get focused. If I want to fill an event, I'll focus on that. If I want to launch a new group programme, I'll focus on that. If I want some more one-to-one clients, I'll focus on that.
Yes, there are things I'll carry on doing all the time (like this blog and my newsletter), but when it comes down to connecting, communicating and actually doing my Thing, I'll put Blinkers on, focus on one thing at a time, and do that.
Hands up I don't always get this right and, left to my own devices, I'll whip those blinkers off and be running around a race track leaping over obstacles (and sometimes falling at fences) before you can say "On your marks, get set, GO!" BUT I know when I've done it, as I'll be running about doing lots of busy-ness and not actually getting very far at all. You'll find this will often coincide with me calling my coach! :) Part of the reason I have a coach (and there are lots of reasons to have someone help you in your business to be the best at your Thing) is to put blinkers on me. Make me focus, aim straight ahead, and get on with doing my Thing without distractions.
It's not dull being blinkered—instead it's purposeful, doesn't overwhelm you and sure does make you get there faster.
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Just thought about this today