Doing More and Achieving Less

It seems to me the more labour and time-saving tools we have available to us, the more overwhelmed we feel.  Not only that, I believe we're actually becoming less productive too!

How is it possible to be getting almost the opposite results to those promised by the inventors of these wonderful new tools and systems?

The first problem has to do with increase in choice as the internet has made is possible to access answers to just about any question you can think of!  The sheer number of information products is making decisions harder and delaying action while we try to weigh up which product will best suit our needs.

The second problem arises as clever people invent more and more 'new and cool' tools for us to try out.  People jump on each one eagerly, wondering if this will be 'the one' that makes the difference they want.  But assessing each new tool and system takes time.  Time taken away from the 3 core activities every business owner needs to work on - every day, which are:

Client Work - serving current clients and keeping them happy which encourages repeat business and referrals leading to new business.

Looking for New Clients - marketing activities which involve making direct contact with new prospective customers.

Developing the Business - planning ahead and getting very clear on where the business is going.

It's important to ensure these core activities are given priority in every business, before allowing 'new and cool' stuff to distract us.

As a life-long learner, and generally curious person, I'm often distracted by new & cool, bright shiny objects on the internet when I should be working.  What's your biggest distraction?