Regaining Focus After It's Been Lost

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Hi! Ken Lear here.

Some days it’s easy to stay focused at work and get everything done – while other days every little noise or email can be distracting. On the days where you just can’t seem to focus, it’s important to acknowledge the situation and do something about it. It’s better to take a 5-minute break to regroup than to continue working with several other things running through your brain.

Here are 5 steps to help you regain focus at work:

Don’t Force It

When you start to lose focus, don’t force yourself to continue working unless there is a tight deadline. Take ten minutes to go for a walk, eat a snack in the break room, or go sit outside. If there really is no time to step away, take a short breather to read an article or scroll through Facebook, or even just stand up and stretch your legs. It doesn’t have to be a long break, but taking a second away from the computer or current task can work wonders.

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Find Your Distraction

In order to stop being distracted, you need to figure out why you are distracted in the first place. Are you thirty, hungry, tired, cold? Is something at home on your mind all day? Once the distraction is nailed down, it will be easier to figure out how to get past it.

Make a List

What is the most important thing to do today? So many employees just go from task to task, which can end up being very distracting and inefficient. Make a list of all the tasks that need to get done in order of importance, and do it in that order – don’t switch between tasks. It’s easier to stay less distracted if there aren’t a million little projects on your mind all at once.

Get Rid of Clutter

Is your office dirty or your desk covered with papers? It's time to clean. A messy workplace is distracting and (sometimes) gross.

Decorate

If your workplace is generic and plain, then it might be time to decorate or rearrange. Hang up a picture of friends or family or move stuff around – a “new” place can make your desk a bit more exciting and inviting to work in.

Getting Back on Track after a Bad Start to the Week

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Hi, I'm Ken Lear, an entrepreneurship, leadership, and business expert.

There are very few genuine fans of Mondays. This is the start of the week, and even when we want to have a good start, it can go down hill fast. From out-of-the-blue appointments, or missing your alarm, the week can get to an awful start really fast. For all those times that Monday doesn’t work out as you had hoped, there’s still time to fix it. Here are some steps to take to still capitalize on a full week of productivity.

1. Identify Reasons Why

To really be able to start fixing a bad start to the week, it’s important to examine why it got to a bad start in the first place. Did something come up that you didn’t expect, or was it your own fault? You must confront these things stopping you from having a productive week if you don’t want to fall victim to them again.

2. Start the Day Earlier

The more time you have in the day, the more time you have to be productive. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before, and wake up earlier that usual. Setting this tone will give you more time to relax, and you won’t feel rushed to get everything done.

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3. Practice Being Health

When we’re healthy, we are much more content with how the day has been. Try and eat as well as you can; skip the desert or the morning doughnut. We all feel better after a work out too. Working out not only keeps you be healthy, but the increase in endorphins will make you happier.

4. Practice Discipline

Being able to say no to things is critical if you truly want to be productive.. There may be times where you’ll have to turn down plans of fun to get some work done. Practicing good discipline is required to accomplish anything. The stricter you are with yourself, the more discipline you will have.

5. Plan for Next Week

Take the necessary steps to ensure you never will start another week unprepared. Planning ahead can help in many different ways, and will act toward your benefit. Being prepared with a game plan for the future means you will be ready for anything.

Characteristics All Entrepreneurs Need

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Anyone can start a business, but it’s how that business is nurtured and grown that really makes or breaks it. After looking at several successful (and not successful) entrepreneurs, it’s clear that there are a few distinguishing characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.

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Passion

This is the most important quality of an entrepreneur – if you are not passionate about what you are doing, then why not work a normal 9-5 job? Figure out what your mission is when you create a new company and stick with it. This is what will drive you on days when you just don’t want to get out of bed.

The Openness to Learn

Just because you started your own business and are doing well, that doesn’t mean you know everything. Always be learning from those around you; whether they have had 50 years in the business or 2, a helpful tip can go a long way. Being an entrepreneur is not just a job – it’s a lifestyle. Be open to learning new things and trying out new ways to do business.

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Resourcefulness

Any new business owner knows that the first couple of years can be tight – so learn how to make the most out of what you have. Does the intern you hired happen to be amazing at math? Have them help you balance the budget instead of just filing. Use the connections you’ve made in college and your career to get better deals on services or find the perfect employee for an open position.

Perseverance

We all know the saying “Rome was not built in a day,” and the same holds true for new businesses. There will be obstacles and there will be hard times; you just need to get through them. Think of your mission and why you started this in the first place. If 10 financial backers turn you down, don’t fret – you’ll eventually find at least one that won’t. It might take some tweaking and changes along the way, but it will happen. That’s the nature of a startup. Remember to be kind, keep in touch with people you meet and things will eventually come through if you continue to persevere.

Time Management Tips

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Hi, I'm Ken Lear.

Managing your time at work and in your home life is essential. Managing your time is all about “working smarter, not harder.” Putting in a 10-hour day doesn’t mean you necessarily were productive. Could it have been done in 8 hours? Managing time isn’t about doing as many tasks as possible. It’s about simplifying how you work, doing things faster, and feeling less stressed.

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Keep Track of Your Tasks

Whether this be on your phone, a calendar, or a checklist – make sure these are documented somewhere. If not, there is always the chance you will forget one or two things on your list.

Complete the Most Important Tasks First

When you start working, identify a couple of tasks that have to be done that day. Instead of putting them off till later, work on them now. You never know what troubles may come up.

Learn to Say “No” When Needed

Sometimes we feel obligated to say yes to a task our supervisor gives us, but if you simply just don’t have the time, say “no.” You should be only be taking on new commitments that you know you have time.

The Ken Lear Leadership SlideShare has a great presentation on entrepreneurship. Read it today!

Focus on the Task at Hand

If your email keeps popping up (and it’s not important) – ignore it. Every time you check a new email or go on Facebook, you are losing focus on the task at hand. Put your phone away, log out of Facebook, and turn off your music if that distracts you.

Assign Time Limits on Projects

Instead of working on a project till it’s done (unless of course there is a deadline) give yourself a time limit. There is a good chance that after 2-3 hours of working on the same project, you’ll need a short break to recharge.

Target to be Early

If a task is due at 2:00, try and be done before 1:55. There is a good chance something will come up that will make things take a bit longer. For appointments, strive to be early. For your deadlines, submit them earlier than required.

Set Reminders

If you have a meeting, set a calendar reminder for 15 minuets beforehand. If you have a project due in a couple of weeks, set a reminder for a few days before.

Finding a Job You Love

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Ken Lear here.

A famous Confucius quote reads, “Choose a job you’ll love and you’ll never have to work another day.” This is something that most people believe in, but don’t take the steps to make it a reality. No job is worth it if you’re not happy or satisfied with the work. It can be difficult to find and lock down a job that you will love, but it is also very worth the effort. To find that job, you must be able to have a sense of where you want to be headed in the future. Finding meaning in a career is of utmost importance to a happy life. Here are three things you can do today to find a job that you can have a real passion for:

For more business advice and information about Ken Lear, check out his personal website.

Find a Company with Similar Values

It’s tough to love your job when the company you work for does not practice the same values as you do. From environmental awareness to employee appreciation, finding a company that does the things you think a company should is significant. This is imperative: no one can be happy with a job when they are aware they heavily disagree on the values the company presents.

Look to the Future

When taking a new job, think five years down the line. Is this a job you will be satisfied with? Will it keep you motivated? Will it help you get where you need to get?  Looking down the line with your job is a great way to see if it will be worth your time. If this job is not going to get you where you need (and want) to go, you may have to look elsewhere.

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Talk with People Who've Figure It Out

It doesn’t hurt to ask those who love their jobs how they were able to do it. Most will tell you that they figured out what they were passionate about and pursued it. This is the underlining fate that you must understand to get a job you love: passion will always triumph money or power. Talking with others will allow you to see that its possible to find a job you love. You just need to put in the effort and time to find out what your passions truly are.

The 5 Best Fictional Entrepreneurs

My name is Ken Lear and I’m an expert on all things leadership, business, and entrepreneurship.

As a film and novel buff, I have been able to see as many movies regarding entrepreneurship as I can. The subject of entrepreneurship is great inspiration for a story that can be fascinating as well as thought provoking. The following are my favorite fictional entrepreneurs, and why they are memorable.

Daniel Plainview – There Will Be Blood

There Will Be Blood tells the dark tale of an oil businessman’s rise to power and success. Plainview was able to see the potential in the oil business, and capitalized by finding the best land for digging and how to distribute it. His methods may have been a little too harsh for some, but his business skills and expertise would make any entrepreneur jealous.

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Tony Stark – Iron Man

Being a super hero is a tough job to do, but underneath the iron mask is a man that is your classic entrepreneur. As Tony Stark takes over his father’s weapons company, he keeps the success going and becomes a billionaire. He also realizes the errors of the weapons business, and vows to help stop criminals from arming up. It’s nice to see a self-made man that condemns the bad things his business does to help make the world a better place.

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The Ghostbusters – Ghostbusters

This might be a goofy choice, but what the Ghostbusters were able to achieve should inspire all entrepreneurs. By providing a service that was in demand (catching ghosts), the Ghostbusters were able to create a successful business that people could recall with ease. Even their logo was recognizable, and is still known in real life twenty years later.

Charles Foster Kane – Citizen Kane

Considered one of the greatest movies of all time, Citizen Kane tells the story of a man that turns a newspaper into a media empire. A tragic story, Kane realizes at the end of the film that the power and the money didn’t make him happy: it was his childhood memories such as his sled Rosebud. Still, his business prowess inspired many.

Walter White – Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad may tell the story of drug kingpin, but in reality the entrepreneurial knack of Walter White should be admired. Walter finds something he’s good at and sticks with it, even though it is highly illegal and dangerous. Cooking drugs should never be an option for entrepreneurs, but the idea that doing things you enjoy and are good at is what your business should be focused on.

3 Tips for Job Seeking New Grads

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I'm Ken Lear, a business professional with expertise in leadership, management, and entrepreneurship.

Getting a first job can be a lot of work, especially if you have never worked before. In a competitive economy, sometimes it can seem tempting to take the first job that comes your way, even if you lack interest in it. But new job seekers have more control over their situation than they might realize. Below are some things to keep in mind during any job search:

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Apply for the Right Jobs

Don’t waste time applying for positions that are not right for you; instead use your time and energy to personalize and target the jobs you have a chance to land and are interested in. Study a job description and highlight the parts that you feel describe you to see if it is a good fit.

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Create and Cultivate a Professional Online Presence

Over 89% of companies report they will use social networks as part of their hiring plans this year. Many recruiters utilize LinkedIn to scout out and recruit new employees. Employers will also scan Twitter, Facebook and any other social presence job seekers have to screen and see if they are a good fit for the company. Consider creating and maintaining your own professional website so you can curate what companies are seeing. Always delete anything from social media that you wouldn’t want an employer to see. But you have to maintain your online presence, update your status, reach out to people you want to know and demonstrate your expertise online.

Network in Person

Join professional organizations and attend events where you can meet prospective hiring managers and mentors. The more people you can meet and impress in person, the more likely someone is to remember you and refer you for an opportunity.