How To Fight Squirrel Brain In Your Business
Remember the dog from Disney’s movie “Up”? The one who gets easily distracted by squirrels? In this week’s episode of the BDC show, we’re diving into “squirrel brain”—that pesky tendency to lose focus when you’re running your coaching business. Join us as we explore tactical strategies and mindset shifts to keep you laser-focused and on track.
Having chosen a business strategy to implement is a major win. However, the challenge lies in how to stay laser-focused on that strategy. Taming the squirrel brain is a real challenge coaches face in the business.
There’s so much noise. It’s easy to fall into the trap of shiny objects with tons of coaching courses out there going after you.
Your innate creative visionary backfires when a myriad of brilliant ideas keep popping in your head – not entirely a bad thing though. But they tend to sabotage your focus and consistency.
The major errors coaches commit? It’s when they allow the squirrel brain to stop them in their path. It’s when we hunt for the one thing that will magically create a breakthrough instead of staying consistent with their chosen strategy and doubling down on it so they can be better.
What makes the situation worse? It’s when ideas fail and the brain start to create a narrative that nothing is working. Then, there goes the temptation to follow squirrels, taking you back to square one every time. If nothing at all breaks the pattern, the squirrel brain will take you further from the goal.
How to control the squirrel brain and avoid distractions?
- Get laser-focused on your outcome and vision
Clearly articulate your long-term business goals and ask yourself, “Does this idea support my long-term vision?” will help filter out distractions that do not align with your primary objectives.
Make sure your daily activities and tasks contribute towards your overarching goals. Alignment ensures consistent progress and minimizes the temptation to chase irrelevant ideas.
- Park your ideas in your parking lot
Literally, use a Google Doc to jot down all your new ideas. Label it as your “Idea Parking Lot.”
Regularly review the ideas parked in your lot. This helps you to decide if any of them align with your vision and are worth pursuing in the future. It also provides peace of mind knowing your ideas are safely stored and can be revisited later.
- Fixed versus flexible
Determine the non-negotiable aspects of your business (e.g. core offers) while allowing yourself to experiment with aspects that can be modified (e.g., marketing strategies, content formats). This allows you to innovate within a stable framework, ensuring that changes are strategic and purposeful.
- Play to your strengths
Leverage your natural talents by focusing on tasks and strategies that align with your abilities and passions. For instance, if you excel in public speaking, prioritize webinars and live coaching sessions.
Optimize your workflow by concentrating on what you do best. This increases your efficiency and effectiveness, reducing the likelihood of being sidetracked by unfamiliar or less enjoyable tasks.
- Set timers
Use time blocking techniques by allocating specific time slots for different tasks. Timers ensure you stay on track and complete tasks within the set period. This is a powerful technique on how to avoid distractions and maintain focus.
Work within time limits to prevent the feeling of overwhelm. This helps in staying focused, which is crucial for overcoming the squirrel brain.
- Do deep instead of wide
Focus on depth over breadth. Concentrate on mastering a few key strategies rather than spreading yourself too thin across many. For example, perfecting your webinar technique can be more beneficial than trying to be present on every social media platform. This approach helps control squirrel brain by reducing the temptation to chase every new idea.
Less is more. Going deep into fewer areas ensures higher quality outcomes and deeper expertise. This can significantly enhance your coaching effectiveness and business success, providing a clear path to avoid distractions.
- Evaluate Ideas Based on Client Needs
Regularly assess whether new ideas align with the needs and pain points of your clients. Ask yourself, “Is this where my clients are at? Would this make sense for them?” This helps in making informed decisions that directly benefit your clients.
Prioritize initiatives that directly address your clients’ needs and provide value. Ensuring that your efforts are impactful and well-received is key to controlling squirrel brain and maintaining focus on what truly matters.
Conquer “Squirrel Brain”
As an entrepreneur, I hold the reins to my destiny, my business a monument to grit and daily discipline. Banishing “Squirrel Brain” is my relentless pursuit – a constant realignment of my actions with my grand vision. It’s about identifying the non-negotiables in my business and embracing the freedom to experiment elsewhere.
Practical, everyday strategies keep me firmly on track, propelling me toward my goals. By laser-focusing on the essentials, I conquer the distractions that threaten to derail me. Success in business, as in life, is as much about what I don’t do as what I do.
This clarity isn’t just about survival; it’s about thriving. It’s about creating a business that’s not just profitable, but purposeful. So join me in this journey towards a focused, fulfilling entrepreneurial life. Let’s build businesses that are a testament to our vision, resilience, and unwavering focus.
