Most of us would agree that there are a lot of benefits to being more focused, it improves clarity, helps us identify what is most important, improves decision making and allows us to be more effective. These are all important especially in the short-term, but there are also some mid-long-term benefits of being more focused.
Here are four unexpected benefits that clients have realized by improving their focus.
Builds Momentum
Improving focus increases your effectiveness which, in turn, helps you to make more and faster progress. This is highly is motivational! Everyone who comes to work wants to do a great job. And as your teams start to see progress being made, it encourages them to work harder, as they can see the fruits of their efforts which helps you to build a momentum.
Once the ball starts rolling it's much easier to get it going faster.
Reduces Stress
When we lack focus we can become overwhelmed, too much to do and too little time. More often than not, it's not so much that there is too much to, it's more that we don't know where to start, and it's this that is stressful. As you increase clarity and understand what's most important, this allows you to get out of overwhelm, which has a positive impact on your stress levels. You can see what we need to do, and you can also see that you are making progress. When you have the wrong focus, all your efforts lead to nothing, which can increase your frustration, demotivation and consequently your stress.
Increases Engagement
There is nothing more frustrating than working for a company or a boss who doesn't know where they are going. People are not afraid of hard work they are afraid of failure, and if you cannot articulate what the goals are, or how they are to be achieved, then it's difficult for teams to engage. Everyone wants to play for a winning team, and when you get your focus right and start to see progress, this will excite your staff and get them engaged.
Attracts More Clients
When we lack focus, it can confuse potential clients and make it difficult for them to see us as the solution to their problems.
"I'd love to work with you, but I'm not exactly sure what you do" was the feedback one of my clients received. Their branding and messages were confusing, which made it difficult to see exactly what benefit they could offer. It's often said that people do business with people they like, know and trust, but the knowing has to include understanding what you do.
When we addressed the issue at this particular client, by streamlining their branding and offerings, they saw an immediate increase in business of 20%, and they started to attract a lot of new customers. Potential clients want to work with successful companies, who know where they are going and what they can do.
Increasing your focus has significant benefits, both short- and long-term that can give you better results, less stress, an engaged team and more clients.
Now shouldn't that be everyone's focus?
I'd love to hear what additional benefits you have gotten by improving your focus, please leave a comment to share them with me.