How do you deal with shiny objects?

I was asked this question this past week while giving a talk at one of my portfolio companies.

It got me excited because I had a GREAT strategy to overcome it – more on that below.

But first, a story…

In 2009 when I started my company Flowtown, I was essentially running two businesses.

I had my angel investing and a new startup.

For a period of time, it was a little crazy…

… I was overcommitted and not following through on my promises.

I felt horrible.

But what I realized is that I was busy with a lot of tasks that weren’t moving the needle.

They didn’t drive progress, nor were they aligned with the bigger picture.

So that’s when I sat down and started re-structuring my day to align with a bigger outcome.

I did this for both my angel investing and for my startup…

… and it’s what led me to an extremely productive way of working that wasn’t based on time management – but outcome management.

If you know your destination, take the time to brainstorm your strategies, and ask yourself a powerful question “What resources do I have access to, to achieve this?”…

… then there’s only one thing left to do: Schedule It!

Show me your calendar, and I’ll show you your priorities. (click to tweet)

Once you have your outcomes figured out, then lock them in over the next 90 days.

Honour that decision and don’t get distracted by shiny objects – just add them to the list to be reviewed at the end of that period in context to all the other options you have.

It may take discipline but this is how the top entrepreneurs perform.

Now tell me, what are you going to schedule in your calendar?

What priority do you have that isn’t being blocked in?

Can’t wait to hear from you in the comments.

Have an incredible day!

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Dan Martell has advised more startups than his hometown has people and teaches startup founders like you how to scale. (Get the free 3 videos to grow your business here.) He previously created, raised venture funding for and successfully exited two tech startups: Flowtown and Clarity.fm. You should follow him on twitter@danmartell for tweets that are actually awesome.

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