What single obstacle repeatedly gets in the way of you getting the job done?  For the most part, it’s not knowing when enough is enough.  Take care to avoid extreme actions, such as daydreaming, wishing you could be elsewhere, and you can become more productive, efficient, effective and balanced.  Stop thinking that the grass is greener on the other side, live the life that you have now, and if you want to change it, do something about it.

Ok – you have a space that you’re comfortable with, you’re in the right frame of mind and motivated, you’re clear on exactly what you want to accomplish. Why is it, then, that you’re often unable to stay on track? What one thing – the single obstacle or challenge – repeatedly gets in the way of your ability to get the job done?

Often times, it is not knowing when enough is enough.

How many times have you:

• Met someone for lunch, and said to yourself “I only have one hour, then I have to get back to work”, and then wound up spending an hour-and-a-half or more, causing you to feel pressured for the rest of the day?

• Showed up at a business or networking event or meeting that was slated to run for two hours, only to find that the hosts didn’t honor the published times? Even 15 minutes can make a big difference in a tight day.

• You stop at the cash machine on your way home from work and have a hankering for a Cafe Latte, then gaze upon the latest DVDs at the Blockbuster next door and wind up drooling over the Carribean cruises on sale at the travel agent next door to that, making you late for whatever you had planned that evening or leaving you no time to rest when you arrive home?

• You set your mind to completing a specific task at your desk, but become diverted by what seems to be an important email. By the time you respond to it, others come in and, before you know it, you’re on some Web site that promises to be the next Google offering you a job and stock for a nickel a share?

• After dinner, you sit in front of your computer to “just check email” and by the time you look at the clock it’s 1:00 AM?

All of these things can happen because you either get lost in the moment or couldn’t find the right time to break away.

Productivity, efficiency, effectiveness, balance, focus, and life are often about taking care to avoid the extremes.

Often times our attention spans are short. Our minds wander because we’re seemingly bored. We crave something more exciting. The grass is always greener.

I could talk about habits and learning and discipline, but my simple mind needs to keep things much simpler than that.

I’ve often been told that you don’t go to the hardware store for bread. What that means to me is that life is where you are right now. Stop looking for it and waiting for it to happen. Live it.

Thanks to Kristina De for including me in her BizGrowth News Carnival of Productivity Tips.