Does this ever happen to you? Your plan is to work on that proposal that is due this week, or finish editing your manuscript or…whatever you need to get done. But instead, something “shiny” catches your eye. You end up starting a new project or just wasting time on the Internet. (Perhaps looking at cute cat pictures, um, not that I would know anything about that.)

It is easy to get distracted from what what you should be doing by something else that looks like more fun or is simply newer. And shinier.

Here are some of the ways you can get your attention focused where it needs to be, and be more productive.

Make an appointment. Schedule time to work on your project. This appointment with yourself should be considered just as important as any other appointment. Keep it.

Prepare. Some distractions come from not having everything you need on hand when you start. You get up to find your pen, then you realize you have to do some research, then you remember something else you didn’t do. Be ready to work when you sit down.

Have a snack. A growling tummy can be a distraction, so don’t start when you are hungry. Have a small snack right before you dig in to your work.

Close the door and turn off the phone. Don’t let other people interrupt you when you need to get something done.

Turn off the Internet. If surfing the Web is a big distraction for you, turn it off. Shut down your wireless connection or keep your browser closed.

Use a timer. When I need to focus on a project, I set a timer and do nothing but work on the project until the timer goes off. It might be 15 or 20 minutes or an hour, but I stay focused on my work the whole time. No answering the phone, no checking email, no “just this one thing.”

Promise yourself a reward. Often when we get distracted it is because we do not want to do the task at hand. Maybe it takes you out of your comfort zone, or you just don’t enjoy it. So bribe yourself. “When I finish this I can __________”…fill in one of your favorite things to do.

Just do it. Sometimes it is not distractions but fear that keeps us from doing what we should be doing. When you finish, your project will be scrutinized by others. You may fail, or you may succeed. Both can be frightening. But doing nothing, or finishing nothing, is not the answer. Just finish and move on to the next project.

I don’t have the time to do it right now. Yeah? So who does? Do you think there will be a day one month, six months, one year or twenty years from now when you magically have all the time you think you need? Dream on! The only way to get things done is to make the time. Someone once told me that we make time for what is important and excuses for the rest. Start making time now to do what is important.

I don’t have the money to get started. It takes less money than you think. I started my publishing company with $200 and made a profit my first day in business. You can get a web site up and running for less than $10 a month. If you followed my recent series on creating an audio product, you learned that you can do that for little or no money. Yes, having lots of money at the outset can help you get things done faster because you can afford to hire help and start on a larger scale. It can also help you to lose money faster. Starting small has its benefits. You can test and learn as you go without risking too much.

I don’t know how to (set up a web site, publish a book, or fill in name of the action you are not doing here). Here is a shocker: I did not emerge from the womb knowing how to do any of these things. I learned. When I decided to set up my first web site back in 1999, I bought a book and set up the site. Same thing with publishing, blogging, and lots of other things. When I need to know how to do something, I find out where to get the information I need and just do it. There are lots of resources out there, including no-cost and low cost options. Use them.

I’m not an expert about anything. Wrong! Everyone has expertise. You know things that others would pay to learn. Or that they would pay you to do for them. Do not obsess over the fact that someone, somewhere might know more than you. They are not your customer. Your customers are the 90 – 95% of people who know less about your topic than you. They will benefit from what you offer.

There are already other people in that niche. Right. That is why there is only one diet book on the market. So what if there are others in your niche? That just means that you have chosen a popular topic, one that probably has a large market. If there are lots of experts already serving your niche, look for a way to specialize. You could target a segment of the market such as women, pet owners, lawyers, retirees, etc. Or target a segment of content. For example, if you are an expert on relationships, focus on dating after divorce, financial issues couples face, communicating with your partner, or other relationship issues.

Do you want it? Do you really want it? Then go out and get it. It will take time and effort, but you can do it. I did it, and so can you. Or, you can keep making excuses. Your choice.

Need some help?

Read my series on creating an audio product fast.

Cash Content Formula shows you step-by-step how to profit from information in multiple ways. Plus, you get monthly coaching calls where you can get answers to all of your questions. Learn more (and get a free one-hour audio program on profiting from your content) at http://www.CashContentFormula.com/

Discover new ways to get more done.

If you want personal, hands-on help, I offer consulting services.

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