Keeping Focused – Do what really gets results

I like lots of people complain about not having enough time, or not achieving everything but these are only symptoms very often of a lack of focus.

Being focused is particularly important when looking for a future job or career move because it is much more likely we are going to be successful if we take a targeted and focused approach.

This is because employers can generally see why we are then applying to them, and also we are likely to be able to sell our skills and experience more easily and in a more direct way to them.

The Pareto principle, (so called after the Italian Economist Vilfredo Pareto) also known as the 80:20 rule was based on the fact that 20% of people in a population owned 80% of the wealth.

Juran went on to develop this concept into a practical application which states that we spend 80% of our time on 20% of the work. It is therefore vital what work you focus on. The 20% must be spent on work that achieves an end result, and is not just part of the process.

You have to then work smart and on the right things.

This is particularly important in job hunting. I see lots of clients who are doing lots of activity. They are really trying.

However, very often they are not focusing on the right activities to achieve an end results.

A typical example of this might be to sit in front of a computer “surfing” for jobs on the internet. This isn’t to say that using the internet for job hunting is not worth while but it requires much more active thought, than just picking up a few sites and looking.

Think about what kinds of jobs you want to apply for, what types of employers in the local area might offer jobs like this. Look for agencies that specialise in these areas for example either by asking others in that industry, or by ringing up first agencies before sending in information or going down in person.

Check out in job adverts if there is a contact name for a job you are interested in. Ring them first to find out additional information before spending days on an application for a job that isn’t for you, or you just can’t fulfil the criteria for.

Use any contacts you have, and go and renew contacts or meet people for the first time to establish relationships with individuals not just to get a job but to widen the working relationships you have.

You might only be able to fill in a few applications that are well presented a week, so each one has got to be well done and really count. Doing the extra leg work is what can really make the difference.

Measure output, not activity

As a bit of challenge this month I am therefore measuring my output not my activity and looking at what I actually achieve. I am not therefore looking at how many hours I work but whether the work is paying off and I am achieving results for my clients (outcomes in terms of jobs, training or a personal goal they have as well as satisfaction with my service) and also for myself (income).

I am setting myself strict hours to work but keeping these very focused on outcomes.

See if you can set yourself an outcome target – perhaps making 5 new contacts, or focusing on a couple of new employers to target your job search to, or even achieving a qualification or improving how many times you have gone out this week.

It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it is focused and you have thought through how it will make a true difference to you improving your prospects or really getting a job.

Sometimes for all of us these are the really challenging activities but are often the ones that really pay off.

I’ll let you know how I get on next time!