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Why Focus Is the Key to Faster Success if You Have Too Many Goals

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Multitasking, splitting your focus, and wearing five hats at once. If this sounds familiar to you, chances are you’re an entrepreneur, freelancer, or business owner.. You have big goals, and lots of them. Your lofty aspirations are good, but there are so many things to focus on.

To get work done on schedule, we often find ourselves chasing multiple goals at once – and even thinking about more things to do at the same time. The workload isn’t the problem, necessarily. The problem is the idea we have to do it all at once to be successful.

Stop and breathe. Focus on one thing at a time until you complete it. After that, move onto the next thing. I know – it’s easier said than done. Let’s delve into the psychology behind the mindset of multitasking so we don’t miss out, and discuss how to effectively focus.

JOMO: The Joy of Missing Out – Why it Matters for Faster Success

At first glance, you may think our acronym is off by a letter. We often hear about the fear of missing out, or FOMO, when we start talking about getting things done. It’s the feeling that says while you’re doing this, you’re missing out on that. And for all the good technology has done, studies have shown that social media and our modern digital landscape exacerbates this fear in many.

FOMO isn’t just a modern trend because even 5 years ago, over half of social networkers suffered from FOMO. But there’s actually a good side to missing out on things. When we think of success, we think of all the accomplishments we’d like to rack up. But this can often leave us in a cluttered state of mind, where our body is in one place and our mind in another.

Missing out on things can actually be good. It helps us focus on the task at hand – which is the key to faster success. Multitasking has its place, but getting big goals accomplished is easier when you focus on one at a time.

If you’re the type of person who is pursuing a personal and/or professional goal, don’t worry about missing out on other things when you’re focusing your time on a single objective. Clearing the worry from your mind can help jumpstart your productivity and put you on track to success.

“FOMO (fear of missing out) is the enemy of valuing your own time.” – Andrew Yang

Even with the stats and science backing the JOMO approach, distractions come in many forms. Some people are almost unnaturally compelled to scroll through their Facebook or Twitter feed, even on tight deadlines, because who knows what great post (or funny meme) they may miss out on?

The fewer distractions, the better – even in the workplace. One study showed reducing workplace distractions resulted in a large percentage of employees being more productive (75%), enjoying more motivation (45%), and being overall happier on the job (49%).

No matter where you’re spending your time or what project you’re working on, try these three tips for staying focused on your goals:

1. Tame Those Electronic Distractions

Are your tech toys taking your attention? You may need to take an extreme approach. Sometimes this can mean turning your phone off, or even putting it in another room. It works in classrooms and offices, so try it out wherever you’re working.

What about the gateway to distractions that is that second tab, or that second monitor on your computer? Try having separate computers – one optimized with programs and logins for work, and one without. It helps you subtly separate work from play, and focus from fun – though that’s not to say getting work done can’t be fun.

“I attribute much of my success in New York to my ability to understand and avoid unnecessary distractions.” – Derek Jeter

2. Change Your Work Location

Sometimes being at home, or even at the office, just isn’t conducive to staying focused. If your mind is on too many things at once, try a change of scenery if your situation allows for it.

Pack up your laptop (the work one) and head down to the local coffee shop. Knowing you came to a different location specifically to get work done is a great way to motivate yourself, and get yourself in the mood to tackle the task at hand.

3. Remember to Relax Your Mind

Who says meditation can’t be handy for the busy worker with big goals to accomplish?

If you’re trying to focus, taking a few minutes to relax is a great way to prepare yourself. Breathe deep, be mindful, and center your focus on the project you’re currently working on. Don’t forget to schedule some relaxation time, because a good work/life balance matters.

The (Not So) Secret Formula to Success

We all know that success is a product of hard work in the vast majority of cases. It’s no different when you have many things to accomplish and focus on. Nonetheless, the key to accomplishing all of your goals faster is to put your focus on one objective at a time. Put your focus at the front of the line and give it your all.

How do you make sure you don’t overcommit and spread yourself too thin when it comes to accomplishing your goals? Let us know your thoughts below!

Julia McCoy is a serial content marketer, entrepreneur, and bestselling author. She founded her content agency, Express Writers, with just $75 at 19 years old. Eight years later, she has almost 90 team members on staff and has served thousands of clients. She's been listed on Forbes as a thought leader, named among the top 30 worldwide content marketers, and has a passion for sharing what she knows in her books and in her online courses. Read Julia's Write Blog.

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Success Advice

Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)

The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

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Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
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Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)

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Success Advice

What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)

Your first 100 days as CEO could define your entire legacy, here’s how to make every move count

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When Tim Cook took over from Steve Jobs at Apple, the world watched with bated breath. Jobs wasn’t just a CEO; he was a visionary, an icon, and a legend of innovative leadership. (more…)

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Entrepreneurs

The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025

Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

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Bridging the gap between employees and employers
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In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”

While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.

Why This Gap Exists

Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.

What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.

Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap

Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.

1. Practice Mutual Empathy

Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.

2. Maintain Professional Boundaries

Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.

3. Follow the Golden Rule

Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.

4. Avoid Micromanagement

Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.

5. Empower Employees to Grow

Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.

6. Communicate in All Directions

Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.

7. Overcome Insecurities

Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.

8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship

True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.

9. Eliminate Favoritism

Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.

10. Recognize Efforts Promptly

Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.

11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews

When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.

12. Provide Leadership Development

Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.

13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles

Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.

The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role

Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:

  • Build diverse talent pipelines

  • Embrace flexible work models

  • Design compelling career paths

  • Simplify HR processes

  • Redefine the value HR brings

The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.

Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff

When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.

Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.

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Entrepreneurs

What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators

Inside the mindset of entrepreneurial leaders who transform risk, passion, and vision into world-changing results.

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entrepreneurial leadership skills and traits
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