There’s a big gap between wildly successful entrepreneurs and the rest of us. It’s not about intelligence or opportunity. It’s about focus. Specifically, it’s about what they don’t focus on.

Successful business builders don’t let everyday distractions pull them off course. They have a laser-like concentration on their goals and don’t allow trivial matters to interfere.

But what are these everyday distractions? And how can we learn to avoid them to boost our own productivity and success?

In this article, we’ll explore seven common distractions that successful business people almost never waste their energy on. It’s about learning to save our energy for what truly matters in our business and personal lives.

Ready to find out what these distractions are? Let’s dive in.

1) Social media

It’s no secret that social media can be a time sink. But for people who build wildly successful businesses, it’s often viewed as nothing more than a distraction.

Sure, social media platforms can be a great way to connect with customers and market your business. But they can also be a vortex of wasted time if not used judiciously.

Successful entrepreneurs understand this. They limit their use of social media to strategic business purposes only.

They don’t allow themselves to get sucked into the endless scroll of memes, viral videos, and personal updates that have little to no relevance to their business goals.

In other words, they distinguish between using social media as a tool for business growth, and getting lost in it as an everyday distraction.

If you’re serious about building a successful business, it might be time to rethink how you use these platforms. Focus on what directly contributes to your success and let go of the rest.

Remember, every minute spent scrolling through your feed is a minute not spent on growing your business.

2) Email overload

Email can be an absolute beast. There was a time when I found myself spending hours every day just dealing with my inbox.

It was like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole, where every email whacked down seemed to only spawn two more.

But then, I observed something interesting about successful entrepreneurs. Most of them have an entirely different relationship with their inbox.

They see email as a tool, not a taskmaster. They don’t let it dictate their day. Instead, they control when and how they engage with it.

For instance, one successful business owner I know only checks his email twice a day: once in the morning and once in the afternoon. He doesn’t let email interruptions derail his focus throughout the day.

I decided to give it a try. And you know what? It worked! I found myself with more time for strategic thinking and less stress about an overflowing inbox.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your email, take a cue from those who’ve built wildly successful businesses. Manage your email; don’t let it manage you.

3) Multitasking

Successful entrepreneurs understand the hidden secret about multitasking: it’s not really possible.

While it might seem like you’re doing two things at once, research shows that our brains aren’t actually capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously.

Instead, they rapidly switch attention from one task to another, which can decrease productivity by as much as 40%.

Wildly successful business people avoid this trap. They capitalize on the power of focused attention, dedicating specific time blocks to tackle one task or project at a time.

Instead of dividing their attention and energy, they concentrate it on the task at hand, resulting in higher quality work and a faster completion time.

Next time you’re tempted to juggle multiple tasks at once, remember that true productivity comes from focused, single-tasking.

4) Endless meetings

Meetings can be productive, but more often than not, they turn into time-consuming distractions. They can easily eat up hours of your day, leaving you with less time to focus on important tasks.

Successful entrepreneurs recognize this. They understand that not every discussion needs to be a meeting. Often, an email or a quick chat can serve the same purpose without eating up valuable time.

When they do schedule meetings, they ensure they’re necessary, have a clear agenda, and start and end on time.

By being selective about their meetings, successful business people safeguard their most valuable resource – their time.

Before you set up that next meeting, ask yourself if it’s really needed or if there’s a more efficient way to communicate.

5) Perfectionism

Ah, perfectionism. It’s something I’ve grappled with on many occasions. The desire to make everything perfect can be a real productivity killer.

It can cause you to spend way too much time on a task, delaying progress and causing unnecessary stress.

Successful entrepreneurs know that perfection is an illusion. They strive for excellence, not perfection.

They understand that it’s better to get something done well and on time, rather than delay it in pursuit of unattainable perfection.

I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. I once spent weeks tweaking a business proposal, obsessing over every detail.

In the end, it wasn’t the minute details that won us the contract, but our overall approach and commitment to deliver on time.

It was a valuable lesson in letting go of perfection and focusing on what really matters – delivering quality work in a timely manner. Don’t let perfectionism hold you back from progress. Aim for excellence and keep moving forward.

6) Constant availability

In this age of smartphones and instant messaging, it’s easy to fall into the trap of being constantly available. But successful entrepreneurs know that constant availability can lead to constant distraction.

Being always reachable means your attention can be pulled away at any moment, disrupting your focus and productivity.

It’s hard to accomplish meaningful work when you’re constantly putting out fires or responding to every message that pops up.

Successful business people set boundaries. They designate specific times for checking messages and responding to calls. Outside of these times, they focus on their tasks without interruption.

By controlling their availability, they control their time and attention, ensuring they can focus on the work that really moves the needle for their business.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the constant barrage of communication, it might be time to set some boundaries and reclaim your focus.

7) Negativity

Successful entrepreneurs are aware that negativity is a distraction that can drain their energy and focus. It’s not just about avoiding negative people; it’s also about avoiding negative thoughts and attitudes.

They understand that a positive mindset is crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving success. They focus on solutions, not problems. They see opportunities, not obstacles.

Maintaining a positive outlook helps them stay motivated and resilient in the face of adversity. So if you find yourself caught up in negativity, try to shift your perspective.

Focus on the positive and keep moving forward. It’s not just good for your business; it’s good for your overall well-being too.

The ultimate takeaway

The path to building wildly successful businesses isn’t just about action; it’s equally about inaction. It’s not just about what you do, but also about what you consciously choose not to do.

These successful entrepreneurs we’ve discussed, they’re not superhumans with an innate ability to resist distractions.

They’re individuals who have built habits and systems that enable them to prioritize their focus and energy effectively.

These seven distractions we’ve outlined, they’re ubiquitous. They’re part of our everyday lives. The key is not to eliminate them completely, but to manage them in a way that they don’t hinder your progress.

Whether it’s unnecessary meetings, the lure of multitasking, the pull of social media, or the trap of constant availability, remember: these are distractions that can be controlled.

Next time you find yourself falling into one of these distraction traps, take a beat. Reflect on what truly matters for your business and redirect your energy towards that.

After all, the journey to success isn’t about doing everything; it’s about doing the right things at the right time. And often, it’s also about deliberately choosing not to do certain things at all.