Full Focus Limited
P O Box 33489
Takapuna, Auckland
t: 09 489 1650
f: 09 489 1650
David Martin: 0274 902 401
Kathy Martin: 027 2800 564
Estimated reading time: under 5 minutes
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It’s November already?
Yes, that’s right … November! Where is the year going? (or rather... where has it gone!) You’re probably starting to think about Christmas shutdown or skeleton crew, staff functions and all the other end year stuff that needs to be done before you close 
your doors (even if only for a few days) just prior to 25th December (need we mention that’s only around 4 or 5 weeks away?)
So here’s a tip, if you haven’t already got that “stuff” organised …. do it now …. this week. Write a list of what you need to organise/do and do it! (more below on this). Better still, delegate it to someone else to do. When you write that list, don’t forget to include all the personal items that require attention before Xmas – could 
be something like buying a gift for your partner? Hmmm …
This brings to mind the people we talk with each year that seem to struggle with Xmas and everything that’s associated with it and there’s a little idea about that below.
Now you might be wondering why we're writing about this in November instead of December. Well, if you haven’t done this by the time the December newsletter hits your inbox you’re going to be in a real state of panic, you won’t even read it .… and even if you do it’ll be close to useless at that stage of the game.
The Xmas struggle
There’s lots of different ways to do the Christmas thing. Some people spend up large, buy expensive gifts for their family and friends, panic over Christmas day, who’s going to sit where and who not to upset with this comment or that comment. It can be a real nightmare for some people. Then there’s the other end of the stick – people who go solo, ignore the world for the day and pretend Xmas doesn’t exist.
We don’t buy eachother gifts. More often than not there’ll be something around the home that we’d both really like and we buy that .. could be new deck chairs, piece of garden sculpture .. you get the picture. On Christmas Day our whanau get together at someone’s house … usually by rotation.
Every body brings food and everybody brings drinks. And adults bring one gift – 
maximum spend $10.00. Yes $10.00! All the gifts go into a basket and the kids have lots of fun allocating “tickets” to everybody. Whoever gets 
ticket No.1 get’s to choose a gift from the basket first .. and so on. (The kids still get purpose-bought gifts …. but as they get older they also join the ranks of the $10 gift!)
We’ve done this for years. It’s now a family tradition and, best of all, it’s STRESS – FREE! Try it and see.
Here’s my second tip ..
We all multi-task to a certain extent. Some people are better at it than others. In the domestic world of kids and families it’s often a necessity. But how often do you multi-task at work and is this a good thing?
Research shows that people constantly interrupted by emails, texts, instant messaging etc did worse (in a controlled test) than those intoxicated by marijuana! And don’t think that’s an excuse to say “well then, I may as well …. (fill in the blank)!). Multi-tasking and constant interruptions lower a person’s IQ, ability to concentrate and ability to recall information. So if that’s the case, try this -
Focus on one project at a time – Pick a project .. one that you’ve been meaning to do, a task that’s been hanging over your head “forever”.
Give it 2 dedicated hours – devote two solid hours. Shut off your email. Turn off your phone. Tell your staff to leave you alone. Use a timer if you have to.
Choose the right hours – Choose a time when you are at your most productive. For most people this in the morning. Apart from anything else, think how great you’ll feel for the rest of the day after your success!
We suggest you make a list of your most important tasks (they’re probably the ones that will increase your income). Choose the one thing you need to get done and then give it that dedicated 2 hours. You might be astounded at just how much you’re able to accomplish. Try it and see what happens!
What’s new on our website:
Our blog!! Check it out by clicking here.
If you like what you see don't forget to subscribe to the blog by email or rss feed (both options available on the blog)
What else is new?
Kathy’s been doing some research on the challenges and issues women face when working in the family business .. and particularly when working with their husbands/partners. She's had some great feedback and lots of women have replied to her questions. Top of the “challenges” list has been the struggle to keep the home running as well as the business.
Kathy’s now started writing an eBook about this. You can keep up to date with progress by checking out her blog. You may even have some great comments, feedback or suggestions – please feel free to send Kathy an email or leave a comment on her blog.
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