It is so easy to do. You go in intending to post a few items and make a few comments on post relating to your business and then....... You find yourself way down the rabbit hole. It takes a while to climb back out.

So Why Does This Happen?

You had the best intentions. You really wanted to stay focused on your work today but you got sidetracked. There are several reasons why this may be happening.

You have ADD ( Attention Deficit Disorder)

No really. A lot of adults are being diagnosed with this these days. I believe it is really common in entrepreneurs and creative types. And it is not necessarily a bad thing.

So Is It ADD or Are You Just An Entrepreneur?

The nature of being an entrepreneur is that you are able to wear many hats. Your job is probably one that requires you to do many different jobs.

As such, there are jobs you like to do and jobs that you really don't like to do. It is human nature to avoid the unpleasant or uncomfortable jobs. We all like to stay in our comfort zone.

Busy Being Busy

So we get busy being busy and getting sucked down the rabbit hole. And it doesn't just happen with social media. Though that is one of the easiest ways to distract your attention these days.

You can get sucked in to the rabbit hole with networking meetings ( a few are great but too many will become a waste of time.) People who are very social often fall into this hole. You convince yourself that you must attend all of these meetings so that you and your business are well known. But the truth is, most of the time you are seeing the same people over and over. After all, eating and chatting with friends is fun right?

Another way is to busy yourself doing activities you really like to do to avoid doing what needs to be done. ( I am good at this one :-) Creative types can easily slide down this hole. It is much more fun to create a new flyer or write a book than to make those sales calls, right?

Speakers love to speak. But may not like making the calls to get those speaking engagements. So they create videos, go to network meetings and spend a lot of time on social media hoping that their talents will be noticed.

We avoid the things we don't want to do and get very busy being busy. And down the rabbit hole we go. Have you been there? I sure have.

Does This Mean I Have To Take Medication?

Not necessarily. But you do have to make some changes. While every situation is different, unchecked this condition can reek havoc on your business.

With a lack of focus, forgetfulness, disorganization and sometimes anxiety your business may suffer. This lack of focus and being easily distracted can affect decision making. And lets face it, making decisions is a crucial activity for every entrepreneur. Do any of these behaviors sound like you?

• Losing or forgetting things easily

• Inability to concentrate or stay focused on one task

• Frequently showing up late

• Talking excessively

• Impatient and easily irritated

• Feeling overwhelmed with all you need to do

No one ever said running your own business would be easy. ADD symptoms can make it harder. There are ways to manage these symptoms. Here are some steps you can take to help you stay focused on what is important.

Manage Your Stress

When you have a lot of balls in the air and you are trying not to drop any it can be really stressful.

Stress affects the executive function of the brain. It's harder to make decisions when you are stressed or worried. when you do make decisions they may not be good ones.

When we are stressed we are more likely to multi-task. A lot of people are really proud of their ability to multi-task.

According to Nancy K. Napier, Ph.D., is Professor of Strategy and International Business at Boise State University, "Multitasking is not efficient. It costs time, it’s less efficient, we make more mistakes, and over time it can be energy sapping."

Some studies have shown that people who multitask are 40 % less productive that those who focus on one activity at a time.

How To Manage Your Stress.

I have started walking 2 miles every morning. It clears my head and helps me to get my priorities for the day in order. I find when I get to my desk I am much more likely to be able to stay focused on the tasks at hand.

While there are numerous ways to manage stress, they key is to practice the techniques you choose regularly. Find what will work for you.

Yoga and Meditation

Practicing yoga and or meditation daily is a great way to calm your mind. A calm mind is a focused mind. If you have never tried yoga enroll in a class. Once you have learned what to do you can practice for a few minutes daily.

A lot of entrepreneurs have what I refer to as "Monkey Mind." Our head is filled with so many ideas and a list of things to do as long as the Nile river. It is a wonder we can get anything accomplished.

I use a meditation app called Insight Timer to practice meditation. The app offers a timer for doing silent meditations and a list of guided meditations. I find when my mind is really unfocused the guided meditation help me to relax.

Take a Break and Have Lunch With Your Spouse or a Friend

If you notice that you are always busy and seem to have little time for your family, it's time to refocus your attention. Make a standing date for lunch every week with your spouse or a friend.

My husband and I both work from home so a couple of times a week we will go out for lunch. I also meet with a neighbor for coffee once a week. She does not work so there is no business is being discussed. It is just friends enjoying each others company.

I had to give myself permission to do this at first. But now I realize when I take this time out for me, I am much more focused and productive. :-)

Improve Time Management and Organization Skills

You may want to work with a Professional Organizer or a Life Coach. There are some who specialize working with busy executives and entrepreneurs like you.

A Professional Organizer or Coach can help you to create a system to stay on tract. Managing your emails and scheduling set times to work on your social media campaigns are two areas a professional can help with.

Running a business takes a lot of work and dedication. Don't let a wandering mind squash your dreams.

Author-Kathryn Watson-Social Media Strategist and Founder of Find Houston Senior Care and Marketing Your Care

Books include: "Marketing From The Inside Out" 1999 "Help! My Parents Are Aging" 2012 ​"Help! I Can't Do This Alone"2013

#entrepreneur #smallbusiness #ADD #Timemanagement