Yes, I really have identified a specific disease that targets small business owners. I have named it “EADD” or Entrepreneurial Attention Deficit Disorder.
At first I thought it was just an isolated case found here and there but now, after several years of research, I would say that over 50% of all the small business owners I meet suffer from this.
EADD in action
Symptoms include difficulty focusing on one thing at a time, not being able to finish a task, trouble sticking to a single subject or topic, poor follow-through in general, and the complete inability to stick with a good habit until it becomes consistent.
Okay, I know that I’m no medical doctor and I write this slightly tongue-in-cheek, but honestly folks – I do believe there is a real link being your own boss and EADD. Somehow the same gene that makes a person courageous, have self belief, insightful, smart, and a leader also contains an inability to stay focused.
Does this sound like you too? I have now coached over 20 different small business owners who have this EADD so I’ve gotten pretty good at working with them. I am currently writing an e-book to help entrepreneurs and business owners suffering from this time and personal management issue.
In the meantime, Here, for free, are four of the basic rules that I insist a client live by when I see signs of EADD:
The Four basic Rules:
1. You must keep a to do list, and this to do list has to be in a secure place. I have discovered the perfect model for a notebook and to-do-list – details of which can be found in my forthcoming book. Believe me – it works!
2.Stop multi tasking. The ancient Chinese saying is “Man who chase two rabbits catch none.” Focus on one thing and do it well until its completed. Only then is it okay move onto something else.
3. Plan before you take any action. Okay, so your first urge may be to answer that email that has just pinged into your Inbox or pick up that ringing phone, but in many cases, that is the wrong thing to do. You are much better served adding these tasks to your specially designed TO DO list (See #1) , then reviewing this list for what’s most critical (using the same 80/20 rule I talk about in sales coaching) and then and only then can you begin to take action.
5. Commit to sticking to new habits – and only one new habit at time – for at least 6 weeks. EADD sufferers seem to be trying something new all the time. Even if each new ‘thing’ is the best thing since sliced bread, making a commitment to your team or someone else in your life that will you try your new habit for 6 weeks should give it enough time to “stick”.
These basic steps are a must for me to get my job done. Working with so many businesses I need to give each client the focus they deserve. If I’m on the sidelines, coaching an incredibly talented athlete who cannot stay focused, I must first work on his concentration skills before we can execute brilliant plays and win the game. Good Luck.
I suffer from EADD all the time. But now Thom has changed my life with his easy solutions. Thanks Thom!