I finished reading my first book on a Nook last week–the weighty 642-page biography of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. (I want to re-thank Tessa McGovern for inviting me to her echook event at Barnes & Noble a few months back. It was there that I won the raffle for a color Nook.) I was riveted to every word about this genius–the good, the bad, and the ugly. Let me tell you, there was plenty of ugly. But that’s for another blog post.
One of the neat things about the Nook is that you can write notes and highlight sections. I didn’t use that capability until I hit page 464 where Tim Cook, whom Jobs tapped to replace him at Apple, stated “There is no one better at turning off the noise that is going on around him…That allows him to focus on a few things and say no to many things. Few people are really good at that.”
With the you-know-what approaching (that “h” word), I’m noticing increasing frenzy and a lack of focus wherever I go. Some of the questions I get from clients and webinar participants are based around too many goals and choices. These are good questions, and I’m sympathetic. I, too, can put way too much on my plate.
But, I’m with Steve Jobs on this one. Pick one or two projects to put all of your focus on, knowing that good ideas will be there when you’re ready for them.
At a writing workshop I attended years ago, one participant told the instructor that she had hundreds of ideas for book titles. I felt jealousy surge up in me as I sat next to this prolific idea person. The teacher’s response surprised and satisfied me. I’m paraphrasing, but she said something like, “It’s a cop-out to keep thinking of ideas. The hard work is to sit down with just ONE and commit to it. Writing is about writing, not about thinking of titles.” Ouch, and aha!
My advice for when you’re feeling scattered? Choose one thing to focus on for a few hours until it’s complete. Turn off the phone. Don’t look at email or social media, and commit your time to the work in front of you. Complete that one thing, whether it’s wrapping gifts, planning your goals for 2012 or re-writing your homepage. It’s better to complete one thing than to get 1/2 way through a dozen things.
Loved the book, and loved your post.
Jane, Happy Thanksgiving albeit a bit late (although thankfulness never seems to be a tardy thing.) Without sounding too “whiney whinerson”, I have spent the last three years in back surgery or between them. This has lent me a great deal of time prone and reading your blog. I appreciate your perseverance in communicating helpful messages and insights in not just the “business of business” but the vagaries of daily life. I would say that what separates you and your blog from others is its authenticity and its generosity in acknowledging that we are all learning and can be receptive to the wisdom of others.
So, a belated thank you Jane. I consider your blog a valuable member of my “electronic circle” (have not yet jumped onto the social networking bandwagon…) Know that you have cheers coming from this corner and I wish you well as your work and life successfully grows and grows.
You got it!
Amen! Thanks for the simple and important reminder, Jane.
Fascinating book, I agree, Jane. Jobs’ “reality distortion field” served him well in business, horribly in sickness.
Thanks, I needed that. Turning everything off now. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Sue
@Suzanne
So glad to know you’re out there taking it all in. So sorry to hear about your surgery. Ugh!
@Manage Better Now
Thank you!
@Linda
I know you know.
@Lisa
Thanks!
@Nancy
You’re so right!
@Sue
Hope you see this when you turn it all back on 😉
Thank you for such great advice. I believe we need to remind ourselves to ‘turn off’ distractions on a regular basis, but nothing beats the thrill of a long put off project finally getting done.